Share

Schleck to lead RadioShack

Paris - Luxembourg's Andy Schleck will return to lead the RadioShack Leopard Trek team into this year's Tour de France, it was announced Wednesday.

Schleck missed last year's Tour due to a pelvis fracture and the three-time Tour podium finisher has since struggled to regain his form.

But team general manager Luca Guercilena said: "We are happy to see that Andy is back.

"Nobody in the team ever had doubts about the talent of Andy.

"Little by little he has come back to the level where we expect him.

"The Tour of Switzerland encouraged and convinced us to give him the role he deserves and to give him the opportunity to have dedicated riders surrounding and supporting him."

Guercilena added: "Of course we don't put pressure on our champion. After the last 12 months it would be unrealistic to expect a podium place.

"On the other hand, the lack of stress and pressure can be a positive stimulus to a brilliant performance."

With German Andreas Kloeden and Spaniard Haimar Zubeldia, the Radioshack team has two other Tour de France specialists: Kloeden has finished second overall twice and Zubeldia has finished four times in the top 10 general classification.

"You can consider Haimar as our second weapon," said Guercilena. "Haimar, 6th last year, is always consistent and delivers his best."

RadioShack Leopard Trek team for the Tour de France (country):

Jan Bakelants (BEL), Laurent Didier (LUX), Tony Gallopin (FRA), Markel Irizar (ESP), Andreas Kloeden (GER), Maxime Monfort (BEL), Andy Schleck (LUX), Jens Voigt (GER), Haimar Zubeldia (ESP)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1811 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1769 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1074 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 456 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 184 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE