Andy Schleck on the road to recovery
It had been the slowest and the driest season for the three-time, Tour de France podium finisher, Andy Schleck.
The cyclist who prepared the whole year for only one race did not even manage to make it through the final squad this time round.
Andy is famous for his outstanding stage-race abilities, especially on the French soil and he has always emerged as a much better player at the French Grand Tour.
Schleck marked his professional debut at the three-week race in 2008 and occupied the 12th overall spot after the overall classifications.
His next three appearances resulted in a podium place finish including second (2009), first (2010) and second again during the most recent version of the race.
The 27-year-old rode brilliantly during the most recent edition of the race but could not match the likes of the in-form Australian, Cadel Evans.
He could not make it through the final Team RadioShack-Nissan squad this year mainly because of his health issues.
Andy started the 2012 season rather slowly, with the Tour de France as his main focus but had to face the disappointment after the doctors disallowed from participating at the three-week race.
He crashed during the Criterium du Dauphine and had to abandon the race because of the same reason.
The accident also ruled him out of the French race and it has been reported earlier that the cyclist has shown great signs of improvement and will be fit to race soon.
Team Doctor Andreas Gosele cited, “Andy still experiences pain, so a new examination was necessary. The MRI scan showed clear signs of a good healing, but the fracture is not fully healed yet”.
"This makes us feel optimistic that with some minor modifications of his bike position, temporary of course, he can now look at being a pro cyclist again and train like his colleagues soon".
"I went on my bike for the first time three weeks after the crash, but it had to step off almost immediately," said Schleck.
It will be interesting to see, if Andy recovers in time to represent his nation at the biggest sporting cycling event of the season, the 2012 Olympic Games.
Tags: