Frank Schleck abandons the Giro d’ Italia 2012
Frank Schleck was filling in for Jakob Fuglsang at the first Grand Tour race of the season, the Giro d’Italia.
The cyclist was leading the team at the contest and was looking good for an overall victory at the event.
Schleck had to face the disappointment after his collision during the stage 11 of the race.
The Luxembourg professional cyclist was holding the 15th overall position after the stage 10 general classifications and was looking good for an overall victory at the event.
He crashed with Alex Rasmussen during the race which ruined his chances for an overall victory at the event.
The accident has now ruled him out of the race and Schleck blamed Rasmussen for his disqualification.
“Just before the final lap Alex Rasmussen gave his teammate Christian Vande Velde a big push to launch him upfront,” Schleck posted on the team’s website.
“While doing this he was practically going backwards himself and he was like a wall in the middle of the pack. Incredible”.
“I hit him from behind and stood completely still. Then I started chasing like h**l and I made it back to the peloton that had already started the last climb”.
However, Rasmussen has mentioned that Frank’s explanation is all ‘a lie’ and cited that the crash was Frank's own fault.
Schleck is now targeting the Tour de France as the next big goal of his 2012 season and will assist his brother Andy at the most prestigious cycling race of the season.
Frank finished third during the 2011 edition of the French Grand Tour behind his brother.
Cadel Evans of Team BMC secured the top overall position during and marked his first overall victory at the contest.
However, Team RadioShack-Nissan Manager Johan Bruyneel has noted that the injury is not serious enough to withdraw from the race an also believes that Frank still has the potential to finish amongst the top five.
He told Cyclingnews, “As far as I’m concerned, his physical condition is good”.
Frank is currently regaining his strengths during the second rest day of the race and the final news about his disqualification will be confirmed before the start of the stage 16.
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