Andy Schleck:12° in the overall classification and winner of the white jersey in the Tour 2008, second in the overall classification and winner of the white jersey in the Tour 2009.
Andy,are you happy?
Yes.I went to the Tour to win it,but Contador was stronger than me in the mountains and in the TT.
Will you ever be able to beat him?
Yes,but I'll have to work hard and improve again if I want to beat him.
A day to forget in this year's Tour?
The one of the Aubenas stage.I believed it would have been an easy stage,instead we rode "a bloc" all day.And the following day there was the Mont Ventoux.
A day to remember?
The day of the Mont Ventoux because of the climb,of the people and of the race.And also because that day I was really strong.
If you hadn't waited for your brother Frank,that day you could have won on the Mont Ventoux. Have you got any regret?
Without Frank I wouldn't be here.We live together,we train together and we race together.With a difference:he's demonstrated that he's able to run without me,I haven't demonstrated to be able to race without him.We had a dream in this Tour de France,and that dream was to arrive both on the final podium in Paris.And we made everything to make that dream come true.
Tell us about Frank.
Same glasses,same shoes,same team uniform: until some years ago,people used to get confused between us.Some years ago I learned how to imitate Frank's autograph and so I signed lots of photos,t-shirts and hats pretending to be him.Once,during a Liege,Rebellin,Cunego and Bettini chased me because they were convincted I was Frank.Now I've got the national champion jersey,so it's harder to get confused between me and Frank.And actually,my foot number is 44.5, Frank's one is 42.And our glasses are different,not just because of the frames but also because Frank's ones are graduated.And I'm taller than him.
Are you always roommates during the races?
We share the things we have to bring with us:you bring this thing,I bring that one.And we have a lot of fun.Playstation,IPod with speakers,techno and dj music.
They say your room is always the most untidy one.
It's my fault.Until some time ago I always used to pack my things at the last moment and I used to throw everything in the suitcase in a random way.I was always afraid of forgetting something. Sometimes it happened that our soigneurs had to go back to an hotel to recuperate the things I had forgotten there.But now I've got better.
Back to the Tour:what was the best place?
I love the Provence.
Did you have fun during the race?
Yes,I had a lot of fun.And at the end of the race I didn't even feel that exhausted.
Is it true that Armstrong asked you to go in his team next year?
No,I've never heard anything like this from Armstrong.I've got a contract with Saxo Bank until the end of 2010 and so I'm going to race for this team until then.
What's your schedule now?
I'm racing the Vuelta,but I won't ride for the general classification.I'll prepare myself for the World road race Championship and for the Tour of Lombardy.
Is it possible to race 2 Grand Tours and try to win them in the same year?
Yes,I believe it's possible.
Are you going to race the Giro in 2010?
I don't know,I hope so.There's a chance to see me on the Italian roads next year.
Have you got a girlfriend?
No.
Italian girls (ndr;and not just them,I guess) will be happy to read this news.
Italian girls are very beautiful.
NB: Yesterday the Stiphout criterium was won by Contador in front of Andy and Frank.Here are some photos from the race: http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=15336
(Pic by Tim De Waele)
So I stil have a chance, lol:)?
RispondiEliminaIs he taller? I thought they have the same hight. Hey, I read that on their site:) ! Who is lying:)?
And I also think that's good he is not a swimmer. Good for Michael Phelps. Because with this size of shoes he could be really dangerous in the swimming-pool:))
Many thanks for posting!
RispondiEliminaGreat interview, Fede!
RispondiEliminaThough... I do find it almost impossible to believe that he's still single. Someone that hot shouldn't be single; he must be actively avoiding girls. Surely.
I must say I love how Andy gets little one-ups on his brother. Like, "Oh, I'm a little taller than my bro" and "Oh, I have bigger feet than Frank" and, "Oh, did I mention, I have that Luxo jersey now." Cheeky little blighter. Though I guess Frank can handle him alright :D.
Yes,Anne,we all still have a chance ;)
RispondiEliminaIt's strange that Andy doesn't have a girlfriend,but perhaps it's a choice he made (he probably prefers to spend his few free moments at home with his friends and not with a girlfriend,me thinks).
I've always read that they had the same height as well,so I can't tell who is lying. ;)
And of course,in a swimming pool he could create problems...
I love the way Andy talks about his brother, but I think that also Frank can handle himvery well.For example,he makes me laugh every time he says:"If Andy wants me to help him,he has to give me a lot of money!" (even if then Andy always replies by stating that "Frank always says the same things".)