Interview with the Schleck brothers!

Tonight,ehm,today,the season of the Schleck brothers finally starts.I've found an interview in German with Andy and Frank,I've translated it fast and here it is.I've also found an article from El Paìs in which it is said that Frank will be the next rider to be summended by CONI.We'll wait and see,but for the moment nobody here in Italy has said anything of official about him.Btw,here's the interview:I hope you enjoy it even if my translation is not very good.

VOR DER ERPBERUNG DES WESTENS ("Alla conquista del West" in Italian).
3 Luxembourgian at the start of the TOC.
The TOC begins this Saturday.The people who organised the race await a public of 2 millions of people.Before of the beginning of the race,we've made an interview with the Schleck brothers.
J: As always,you've done a very particular boot camp in Denmark with your team.How did you feel there?
FS:We've worked a lot together as a team.The thing I remember most is the trip with the boat in the cold water.
AS: It was the perfect occasion to get to know our teammmates better.We were often pushed to our limits,but it was a great experience.We've improved our relationship with each of our teammates.

J: You've passed some time in the USA before of the race.How long have you been here in California?
FS: We've been here for more than 2 weeks now.At the begnning we had some problems with the time zone,everything looked slower.When I arrived,I was really surprised:there were 26 degrees and the weather was sunny! That's wonderful if you want to train well.
J: What are the first impressions you've got from the TOC?
AS: It seems to be very well organised!
FS: We've just arrived in Sacramento from Los Angeles with the plane and I haven't seen a lot,apart from the hotel that is really comfortable.
J: Why have you chosen to ride the TOC?
FS: Some people have told me how nice this race was.And then there is always a nice weather here and so you can train very well.I haven't come here to win the race,but if I have the chance to stay with the best riders,I'll try to catch that chance.
AS: I've been able to start my season very well with the training camp here in California.And then TOC is a hard race,I think it's the ideal race to start the season with.
J: What are your goals for this year?
FS: The Ardenne's classics and the Tour de France.
AS: The Tour de France is my main goal of the season.After that,there are the Tour of Luxembourg and the Tour de Suisse.Between them there will be two others training camp.I can't forget the national championship race too,but this is a one-day race,so everything's possible.This year I'm running my second Tour de France.My first goal there,of course,will be to finish the race.And then of course I'd like to improve my position in the GC.The white jersey of best young rider is not a true goal anymore.I've got high expectations.

J: Kim Kirchen and Columbia Team will run the TOC too.Will Kirchen go well in this race?
FS: Kim's got a good form.You always have to pay attention to him.
AS: I've talked with Kim for about 20 minutes.He seems in a good form,he feels fine and he's trained well.
J: Who do you can win the TOC?
FS: In front of their own public,the American riders will probably give their best to win the race. Leipheimer and Vandevelde are particularly strong.

AS: The riders from the South emisphere in general will be in good form,because they've already made some races and they've been able to train with the sun.This is very good.
J: Is there a stage particularly suitable to you?
FS: The TT is very important here,but also the other stages can be very important because they're hard.
J: How is cycling in the USA?
AS: The americans are entusiastic for cycling.I can imagine that there will be an enormous crowd for the TT! Cycling is very popular in California.
J: Which race will you run then?
FS: Tirreno-Adriatico,Sanremo,some races in Belgium and then the Vuelta a Pais Vasco.
AS: Paris-Nice,Sanremo,Criterium International,Vuelta a Pays Vasco and Ardenne's classics.

(Photo from Tim De Waele and Guy Wolff).