Schleck aims for Vuelta's general classification
Following two strong performances during the weekend's climbing stages, Saxo Bank's Frank Schleck has announced that he can win the general classification in this year's Vuelta a Espana.
After crashing and breaking his collarbone in this year's Tour de France, where he was supporting his younger brother, Andy, Schleck's preparation for the last Grand Tour of the season wasn’t ideal.
While the 30-year-old managed to return to racing in mid-August, competing in the Vattenfall Cyclassics, he was unable to finish the one-day race. The Vuelta began less than two weeks later.
"I understand that many must have previously been reluctant about my chances since I came here to the Vuelta after a break of eight weeks on top of my crash in the Tour de France," Schleck reported to website politiken.dk about his run-up to the race.
Proved his worth in the climbs
But despite his lack of training ahead of the Vuelta, Schleck is currently sixth in the general classification.
He was 13th in the overall standings after Stage 10, but managed to pounce during the climbing stages over the weekend to advance in the table.
On Saturday, he finished sixth in Stage 14, whose route contained three categorized climbs. And on Sunday, Schleck persevered on the climb to the Covadonga at the end of the stage, where riders faced a gradient of 15 percent for part of the ascent.
Riding in the absence of his younger brother, who was sent home by team manager, Bjarne Riis, for breaking Saxo Bank's internal rules, Schleck's display has led many to believe that he will be contending for the overall victory by the end of the week.
"My form is improving day-by-day, and the podium and even the overall victory is still within reach. I am moving towards my best level again,” he said. “I am full of confidence. I've come to win the race.”
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