Andy Schleck focused for the Tour de France 2012
Luxembourg professional cyclist Andy Schleck is hopeful to grab the overall victory at the Tour de France 2012. The cyclist finished second during the three consecutive seasons at the French race from 2009-2011.
Andy was awarded the first overall position in 2010 after the disqualification of Alberto Contador following his ban from professional cycling.
Contador was accused of doping during the Tour de France 2010 and Court of Arbitration for Sport handed him a two-year ban.
The ban will finish in August 2012 and the Spaniard will miss most of the major cycling events this year including the Tour, the Giro and the 2012 London Olympics.
The jury also disqualified him from all the victories since the Tour de France 2010.
Andy was promoted as the overall winner of the French Grand Tour after Alberto’s ban and it was also believed that his absence from the race this year will make it lot easier for the Luxembourg cyclist.
Schleck however, negated the idea and briefed that he is positive to climb the top podium spot and Contador’s absence does not make any difference to his training.
He told Wort, "Compared with 2011, we anticipate more stages where I can where I can try something. I am a runner that can resist for 40 to 50 kilometres ahead as I proved when I won Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2009”.
“In this sense, the Tour is perfect for me this year. It will be like running a classic every day", he concluded.
Australian cyclist Cadel Evans succeeded at the most recent edition of the race and Andy finished 1 minute and 34 seconds behind him.
He joined Team Leopard Trek in 2011 and is riding the 2012 season with one of the strongest sides, Team RadioShack-Nissan for the season ahead.
Andy is considered as one of the best climber in sport and believes that the coming edition of the French race ideally suits him.
He briefed, “I have to keep my qualities of climber. If you want to win the Tour, it is in the mountains where I'll make it".
The 26-year-old will be accompanied by a number of cyclists in France and the reigning champion of the French race is also training hard to make it his second consecutive win of the season.
Only time will tell, if Andy can make it through to the top podium spot during the final day of the Tour de France 2012.
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