In December, Andy Schleck was hit by a car during training. The knee of the national champion of Luxembourg was hurt but not severely enough to keep him from training. During Challenge de Mallorca in February, the pain in the knee deteriorated and he was forced to taking a break from his preparations for the season. Since then, he has been through multiple ultrasound treatments and careful rehabilitation. After a successful Tirreno-Adratico, the Tour de France favorite can now see the light at the end of the tunnel:

“I know we did not take home any big results from Tirreno but that was never my objective. For me it was all about getting through the race without feeling any pain and I was actually feeling stronger every day. It was a very tough course with numerous steep climbs and pulling through without knee problems was proof to me that I am right back on track,” says Andy Schleck.

Because of the cautious rehabilitation, Andy Schleck has missed a few races but the national champion of Luxembourg is feeling confident:

“According to the original plan I was not going to do the Vuelta a Catalunya but after talking to Bjarne (Riis) and Kim (Andersen) we agreed that the race contains a good amount of race kilometers and it will improve my preparations for the Ardennes Classics later on. I feel I am at the same level now as last year at this time and I am certain that I will be able to defend my title in Liege-Bastogne-Liege.”

The partnership between these three icons in the world of cycling is close and the details of the preparations before each race are being examined with professional precision. But the relationship among them is as familiar as professional:

“Team Saxo Bank is my second family and my best friends are on this team. In addition, I am feeling more and more convinced that the team is stronger than last year and for that reason I am looking so much forward to this year’s Tour de France where we have big plans. Before the Tour, we are going on training camps in the Alps, in the Pyrenees and we are going to pay the Belgian and Dutch roads a visit to get to know the course thoroughly. I am highly motivated and I am positive this year’s Team Saxo Bank line-up is stronger than ever when we take on the Tour in July,” claims Andy Schleck.

The familiar and close ties are crucial to the confident and optimistic Andy Schleck who is looking forward to the month of May:

“Fränk is naturally looking forward to being a dad but I sure am looking forward to being an uncle to a new princess in the Schleck-dynasty as well. I am just hoping to be around during the birth as I am riding Tour of California at that specific time,” says a smiling Andy Schleck who will be riding the Milano-Sanremo this Saturday.

Courtsey of: Team Saxo Bank