Bjarne Riis let down by Andy and Frank Schleck
Saxo Bank manager Bjarne Riis has expressed his disappointment at the departure of Andy and Frank Schleck, saying the pair denied they would leave the Danish outfit months before completing their switch to the Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project.
Upon hearing rumours that the Schlecks were due to leave Saxo Bank during the spring, Riis said he asked the brothers about their future plans and was told they intended to remain with the team.
But on 29 July, it was announced that the Schlecks would join former Saxo Bank directeur sportif Kim Andersen at a new, Luxembourg-based team.
"It is disappointing. I can't do anything about them talking to others, they are allowed to do that. I have confirmed that they lied to me. I think that is unfortunate," Riis told Danish sports programme
Lige Pa og Sport about the situation.
"Of course I had my doubts, but it was all so new. I feel like I have to rely on my people because, after all, that is what the team is built on. We need to trust each other, it's part of our values."
As it turned out, Riis did have a back-up plan for next season, as his team, which will be called Saxo Bank-SunGard in 2011, signed three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador on 3 August.
Cancellara's exit another disappointment
But with Contador provisionally banned for testing positive for Clenbuterol during this year's Tour, uncertainties loom over the strength of the Saxo Bank-SunGuard roster.
This week, Fabian Cancellara left the team to join the Schlecks and Andersen in Luxembourg. The Swiss opted not to honour his contract with Riis, which stretched until the end of next year.
"It's just a disappointment. It is not worthy of a world champion," the troubled Riis said about Cancellara's departure. "It is sad that the many good years we had ended this way."
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