Tour de France is the only “true objective” for Andy Schleck, Johan Bruyneel
Andy Schleck will lead the newly formed Team RadioShack-Nissan at the Tour de France 2012. He will ride a number of races, including the Ardennes classics but the cyclist’s main focus will be the French Grand Tour.
The merger of the two World Tour sides, Team RadioShack and Team Leopard Trek has resulted in the creation of one of the strongest sides for the new season, Team RadioShack-Nissan.
The Luxembourg based side has made its debut appearance at the 2012 season and Team Manager Johan Bruyneel is optimistic that the team will not disappoint him in the new season.
He mentioned, “The classics? We clearly hope Andy will be there as best he can, but the only true objective of his season is the Tour, Andy that will be the case for his older brother too, even if I’ve read that certain people already see Fränk as leader at the Giro”.
Andy started riding professionally with Team CSC in 2005 and represented the team for a period of six years.
He joined the Luxembourg based side, Team Leopard Trek in 2011 and has now been selected for the newly formed side, Team RadioShack-Nissan for the season ahead.
Andy’s first appearance at the French Grand Tour was back in 2008 and he claimed the 12th overall spot at the race.
The 26-year-old finished second during the next three editions of the race and has now been awarded as the first overall position for the 2010 version of the French event.
Andy’s overall position is the result of Contador’s disqualification from all the victories in the past two years. The jury handed him a two-year ban and the cyclist cannot ride until August 2012.
The two Schleck brothers, Andy and Frank, will ride hand in hand in the new season. However, it is not confirmed if they will ride together at the Tour de France 2012.
Bruyneel commented, “Working with a rider of Andy’s quality motivates me, it literally gives me a boost, I’m still convinced that without his crash Klöden could have been in contention for a podium place in 2011”.
Andy is currently lining up for the Paris-Nice and he will also ride the Criterium International before finally moving towards the main role of his 2012 season.
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