Two nice interviews with the Schleck brothers:

August is a strange month for cycling lovers. The Tour in fact is over, but other races have already tried to take its place in the afternoons of cycling supporters. Tour de Pologne, Tour of Portugal, Tour of Denmark, Eneco Tour... All these races have some good riders taking part in them, but they're usually considered just as a springboard for the Worlds (and for the Vuelta) .

This year the parcours of the Worlds doesn't look particularly difficult, so everyone is paying a lot of attention to the sprinters. Talking about sprinters: Romain Feillu has recently broken his collarbone, Cavendish and all his teammates have lost their main sponsor and Paolo Bettini is thinking about the Italian teams for Copenhagen. He's said that Bennati will be the team leader in the pro race, but he's also stated that Andrea Guardini (who, this year, got 9 victories in the pro category) is likely to become the captain of the U23 Italian team. Still talking about sprinters, Marcel Kittel and Peter Sagan have recently ruled the Tour de Pologne. Yesterday Marcel won the last stage, whereas Peter won the overall classification by crossing the finish-line in second. They both rejoiced as they crossed the finish-line and this created a very funny situation: two young riders with a bright future (and a great present), both rejoicing at the same moment, in the same race, by raising the same arm. Lovely.

However, given that I couldn't follow any of the above-mentioned races in a very careful way, and that imo it's still a long way to the Worlds, here I go with two interviews with the Schleck brothers, which our friend Claudia pointed out in her last comments.

First of all, some of you may know that my first post on this blog was an interview with both the brothers. Given that I still find it very interesting, here it is.  Since it was written in 2008, remember that some answers may not be that true anymore. However, enjoy it!!

INTERVIEW 1:

A face to face, frank and sincere, between two very strong riders, that make a whole country dream. They are the Schleck brothers: young, handsome and talented boys. Thanks to them, their parents, their team, their fans from all over the world can dream.A face to face like the “Iene”’s ones (ndr; “Le Iene”-”The hyenas”-is an Italian programme) between two polite boys that want to be "hyenas” just when they’re riding their bikes.
Name?
F:Frank
A:Andy
Date of birth?
F: 15th April 1980
A: 10th June 1985
Ideal weight?
F: 63 kg
A: 65 kg
Height?
F: 186 cm
A: 186 cm
When did you start racing?
F: I started racing when I was 13 year-old. I’ve been racing for the last 15 years.
A: I started when I was 12 year-old, but in a serious way just when I was 16.
What have you done of important in the world of cycling until now?
F: I’ve won an Amstel Gold Race and the Alpe d’Huezs stage in the 2006 Tour de France. I was also 3rd in the 2006 Pro Tour Ranking.
A: Last year I was 2nd in the Giro d’Italia and 4th in the Tour of Lombardy.
What are your goals for the 2008 season?
F: The Ardenne’s classics, the Tour de France, the Olympics, the Worlds and the Tour of Lombardy.
A: My schedule is almost the same: Ardenne’s classics, Tour de France and Olympics.After that race I’ll decide if I’ll continue until the Tour of Lombardy or not.
What is your dream’s race?
F: The Olympics.
A: The Tour de France
A race that you hate?
F: The Tour of Romandy, I don’t have any doubt about this. I really like Switzerland, but I’ve run that race for 3 times and for 3 times I had to retire because of a flu or of an injury.
A: Don’t tell me about the GP of Cholet. I took part in that race twice and I crashed both times. I’ve sworn it to myself: I’ll never take part in that race again.
Who are the most dangerous adversaries?
F: Bettini, Rebellin and Valverde.
A: Contador for the Grand Tours, Re­bellin for the classics. Valverde for both.
Your friends inside the peloton?
F & A: The best are our teammates Cancellara, Kroon, Voigt and O’Gra­­dy, but they’re not the only ones.
Your enemies?
F & A: We’ve got lots of adversaries but we haven’t got any enemy.
What kind of rider is your brother?
F: We’re very similar to each other, we both go very well in the classics and in the Grand Tours.
A: He’s very intelligent in every kind of race, he can improve in time trials, the only thing for which he doesn’t have talent is the sprint.
Something good about your brother’s personality?
F: He takes things easy, whereas sometimes I think too much.
A: I’m younger than him, but we’re very similar, so I think that when I’ll be his age I’ll be just like him, so I can’t say anything particularly good about his character.
A defect?
F: He’s too untidy.
A: Sometimes he’s too nervous.
Do you envy your brother because of something related to cycling?
F: No, we’re very similar.
A: No. If he was fast, I would have liked to be as fast as him, but he’s not fast, so I don’t envy him anything.
Where do you live?
F: In Mondorf, alone, where also Andy and my parents live.
A: I still live with my parents in Mondorf, but I’ve just bought a house and I’m moving there.
What’s your favourite country?
F: Luxembourg. I really like Italy, but if I lived there with my teammates, I would feel as if I were on a permanent training camp. I’m happier when I’m close to my friends and, first of all, to my family.
A: Luxembourg: I like the mentality and the way of living. But I put Italy at the 2nd place. It’s a very fascinating country.
Do you prefer blonde or dark haired women?
F: Dark haired.
A: Blonde.
What’s your favourite dish?
F: Pizza, fries and hamburgers.
A: French fries and hamburgers.
What’s your favourite sport besides cycling?
F: I like speedskating.
A: Ice-hockey. I played it until I got 17 and I was in the young national team.
Hobbies?
F: Hunting and fishing.
A: Fishing more than hunting.
Who was your hero when you were a child?
F: Johnny Cash and Ray Charles.
A: James Dean.
Your hero in cycling?
F: Bettini, Indurain & Rebellin.
A: Miguel Indurain, without any doubt.
What type of car do you have?
F: A Volkswagen Passat.
A: A Volkswagen Touran.
Politics: Left or Right?
F: Left. Our eldest brother, Steve, is a politician and he’s in the Luxembourgian Socialist Party.
A: Left.
Do you believe in God?
F: Yes. I’m not a fanatic, but I think people need to follow a trace during their life.
A: I’m a believer and a practising Christian.
What will you do when you give up cycling?
F: I love animals. I may do something for them in the future.
A: I hope I’ll have enough money to avoid doing a hard job. I'd like to live in a forest, inside nature, and I'd also like to travel around the world fishing. Fishing is one of my greatest passions.
What would you like to say to the Italian fans?
F: Sooner or later I’ll take part in the Giro d’Italia. I like your mentality, your passion, the big love you have for beautiful things and for cycling in particularly.
A: I want to come back at the Giro and I’m sorry I will not be able to come back already this year. However I’ll come back to win that race.

(Interview by Francesco Cerruti of 'Tuttobici')

After this look back in the past, and after an obvious question about the brothers' taste (Frankie likes dark-haired women and ended up with a blonde, Andy likes blonde women and ended up with a dark-haired one), here we go with a more recent interview , which I've just finished to translate. Enjoy!

INTERVIEW 2:

Tics and tricks for Andy Schleck: On the bike, in the hotel or at the table, the Luxembourgian has some little manias and rituals.
Andy Schleck isn't a monk in shorts. The night we met in Italy, you could tell from his breathe that he had just drunk a beer. We met on the night before a race, so that was pretty surprising. "I train hard to win, but I also enjoy life", Contador's main rival justified himself with a smile. Andy Schleck, 26, still can't choose between success and pleasure.

Schleck spends 6 months pro year travelling and he finds his peace in his house in Mondorf-les-Bains, a Luxembourgian village close to France. He lives in the same street as his brothers Steve and Frank, their parents and the Danish rider Jakob Fuglsang, a family friend. "As he lives in the flat above mine, we often see each other. He loves challenging me at Guitar Hero!", Andy says with a laugh.

Whereas some riders count the number of spaghetti in their plate, Andy has a very personal preparation to the Tour: his mother's French fries. "It has become a tradition", Andy says before admitting that the fries make him gain weight. "But that weight increase is due to the major amount of muscles in my legs, not to an increase of the fats in my body!", he laughs, delighted.

"He doesn't refuse a glass of champagne for a birthday, but Andy is a model of professionalism between March and September", his teammate Maxime Monfort says. "He enjoys life in the winter and in his off-peak periods, but that's what he needs to be at 110% for the Tour".Raised in a rural area, the Luxembourgian has always loved nature: he hunts regularly and he goes fishing in his pond on the Moselle. He usually catches pikes. "I'm the one who catches the fish, but it's my mother who cooks them," says the Epicurean single (ndr; we all know that OGL isn't single anymore, don't we?).

Andy really loves his parents, who live 200 meters far from him. At their home, in the room where Andy lived when he was a teenager, their parents have put all the medals and photos of his successes. "I wouldn't feel comfortable with all those things in my house. However, I'll make an exception: when I win the Tour, the trophy and the medal will end up in my house. I've already booked a place for them!"The Schleck brothers never leave each other. So when Frank, 31, abandoned the Tour in 2010, Andy suffered a lot because of it. "I missed Frank during the stages and especially before and after them. We need to talk, to make signs to each other. When he's not with me, I am worried for him. In March, for example, I was at Tirreno - Adriatico but I was only thinking of his crash in Paris - Nice. Without him, I'm not relaxed. "During the Tour, the brothers share a room and the little manias "of an old married couple," as Andy himself says. "Frank always sleeps by the window, I sleep next to the door."

As well as sharing hotel rooms, the brothers also share a child. Well, almost: Leea is the daughter of Frank, but Uncle Andy is completely crazy about her. "Andy almost spends more time than Frank with the little one," Johnny Schleck, the head of the clan, jokes. "In the evenings spent in hotels far from home, when Frank calls his wife and his daughter on Skype, the one who spends the most of the time time in front of the webcam is Andy!"Andy once had "a good luck necklace", but he lost it in the depths of the ocean during a holiday. During the Tour, he created a little reassuring routine which begins at breakfast: "Bread, a great cheese omelet and a lot of rice. I usually don't eat that much in the mornings, so I must make a big effort to eat a breakfast like that." On the team bus, Andy has a place in the back, between Fabian Cancellara and Stuart O'Grady, who are the two techno DJs of the team. "Techno is good for finding the race rythm". Every day after the stage, Andy authomatically dials the telephone number of his father. "I don't phone him to talk about the race, but to keep in touch with the real world. In the spring, we talked mostly about the Arabian revolutions." After that, it's massage time: the massage is accompanied by music. "It's my soigneur who chooses the songs. This year I really liked the Kings of Leon."The young team Leopard, who is "like a group of friends," often ends dinner with a glass of wine. "It doesn't damage the form. Actually, it's good for the health and for the morale," Andy, delighted to discover the French wines during the Tour, states.Johnny Schleck adds: "At Saxo Bank, Andy and Frank often discussed wines with Bjarne Riis, who has a great wine knowledge". From the Danish manager, the brothers inherited the immense desire to win. But still, this didn't become an obsession.

(Interview by Mickaël Caron - Le Journal du Dimanche)

Random post about Sorensen, Dominic (yay!), Voigt and more:

To everyone's joy, a week after her last post, miss Fede has finally come back writing again (*sounds of people singing happily while jumping joyfully around their computers*) :D

It's been another busy week me here in Italy and now I'm finally enjoying some moments of peace after an afternoon spent writing the so called 'tesina' ('little thesis') that I'll have to present at that cursed final high school exam. Actually, I think it will be the first thesis in the scholastic history to mention Leopard Trek (written in caps, the examiner might be an Italian relative of Nygaard!), Contador, Menchov, Vinokourov, Katiusha and Proudhomme in its introduction. Of course, this has been done in order to ensure that none of the examiners will realise what I'm talking about (come on, have you ever heard of an examiner who knows who the Schlecks are?).

Anyway. As well as being very busy, over the last days I've been also trapped by the atmosphere of sadness that is surrounding Bergamo in these days (if you're Italian, you'll understand what I mean). Moreover, this morning another teacher of mine spent some long minutes telling me strange things that have no connections with truth. According to said teacher, in fact, if I study languages at university, in 5 years time I'll end up being an unemployed person. And, still according to her, in 15 years time from now I'll become either a frustrated housewife with a child that weeps all day long, or a frustrated teacher who'll let it out on her students-if I'm lucky, of course. Perhaps I won't even be able to find a husband and I won't even manage to become a teacher, imagine what a crap. So, what does my teacher suggest to avoid those future possible problems of mine? Simple: abandon Bergamo, go to Trieste, try entering the only 'Translater School' of Italy and, after 5 years of hard sudies, pack your things and g working at the European Parliament. Simple, isn't it?

Anyway. Forget about that. Let's talk cycling and, most important, let's party all together because this afternoon our super-hero Dominic Klemme took the first Leopard Trek victory of the year! YAY FOR OUR BANANA-MAN!!! YEAAAH! (Girls, all together: *Yay!*)
"I'm super happy," our red haired boy told Cyclingnews after winning GP Le Samyn."I had cramps in the final kilometres, but I knew I had to hang in there because everyone was half dead back in the chase.I wasn't sure my attack was going to last until the finish line, but the top of the climb was visible, so I could see the finish all the time. I was super motivated to win this one for us". Well done boy!

Still talking about Leopard Trek team (sorry, I can't write it correctly three times in the same post!), it now has a new sponsor, Enovos. On http://www.tageblatt.lu/sport/story/%20Selbs%20tvertrauen-pur-12652985 you have some pictures of the new jersey (it's the same as before, don't worry) with the Enovos sponsor on and you also have some pictures of the brothers.

Talking about LT riders, here's an interview with Jens Voigt: http://velonews.competitor.com/%202011/02/news/jens-voigt-concedes-slim-shot-at-criterium-international-record-holds-off-on-retirement-announcement_161966 . Talking about his retirement, the Fucking Amazing Jens said: "I take it day by day, year after year. We’ll see. At the moment, maybe I am good enough to go one more year, but maybe my wife gets pregnant with baby number seven and I have no time to train at all anymore.I don’t know yet. I cannot really tell you.”

On to another Leopard news, here are two interviews with the Schleck brothers: http://www.lequotidien.lu/les-sports/20709.html and http://www.lequotidien.lu/les-sports/20708.html . Unfortunately, I don't have time to translate it now (they're in French), so you'll have to use our terrible Google Translater.

About Google Translater: Chris Aker Sorensen has made his seasonal debut (yay!) in Tour du Haut Var and has written two posts on his blog (geez, this year he writes almost as often as me!). The last one is a good entry and it talks about radio bans (http://blog.tv2.dk/chris.anker.ol/entry397658.html ): "In my last post I wrote about the Tour de Haut Var", Chris wrote, "but in it I completely forgot to comment on my first experience of racing without radios. The change wasn't actually that big. However, I still support the radios and I'd like to be able to put them back in my ears again during races. In fact, competitions go in the same way, with or without radios: at Tour du Haut Var, the morning breakawayers were caught as usual and the race finale was run as usual. The only changes I saw regarded security. Sometimes a team car had to enter the peloton to talk with its riders and this always created stress and anxiety, because it's never comfortable to ride in front of a car. Moreover, the always stressful "feed zone" was even more stressful than usual. With the radios, we are told where our soigneurs are standing with our feed bags and what team they are next to. Without radios, nobody really knows where their soigneurs are, so everyone moves to the right side of the road simultaneously to take their food bag. The intelligent reader now will probably think: 'Hey, why can't they tell you where your soigneurs are going to stay BEFORE of the race?' It could be a great idea, but if all teams say that their soigneur must be the last one, we'd be back at starting point. (...) Actually, I'm going to propose a system that will make us different from any other team: I will suggest our soigneurs to buy some blue little flares (ndr; the translater suggested using 'rockets', but I don't trust it). When we approach the feeding zone, the soigneurs light up the flares, so we can immediately know where they're standing. The problem with this idea is that of course every other team would adopt it as soon as possible too. Therefore we'd see the sky become purple, gray and blue and the effect would be the same that you get when you mix the 9 tempera colours of your palette during your art lesson at school'.
So, this was a part of Chris' latest entry. Fangirl compliments him on the clever idea and wonders herself how someone can avoid to like this boy.

Changing subject, let's now talk about Matteo Pelucchi's victory in Clasica de Almeria, which was the first victory for Geox-TMC. Matteo, being the boyfriend of Marina Romoli, dedicated the victory to his girlfriend. A good way to remind everyone about the fight that this girl is still carrying on. Well done Matteo- and hold on Marina!

Last topic of a day, a not very pleasing one. In fact, Matti Breschel is unlikely to race the Classics this year because of his annoying knee injury. Actually, even his Tour de France participation seems to be in danger right now. About his schedule for this season, poor Matti said: 'I think the positive thing is that now I will have the energy and mental strength for late in the season. It might be hard to get up there after a long, grueling season. Now I’m doing everything I can to build my way up to the world championships in September.” (news from: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/breschel-set-to-miss-classics ).

Let's wish Matti a lot of luck and let's now close this post with a 'good night everyone'. And remember: don't study languages at school if you don't want to end up unemployed! -.-"

Liege-Bastogne-Liege Preview (post including the start list,some personal opinions of mine and random links):

Since my hell week is nearly over,me now has more time to write bullshits,ehm,cycling observations on this blog.Therefore,here's a long useless post about Liége-Bastogne-Liége,also known as La Doyenne.I'm sure you all remember what happened last year during this race: Andy Schleck attacked on the Cote aux Facons and he soloed to victory. This year things seem tougher for Andy and for his brother Frank,because there are lots of riders that are going really well right now.For example,Gilbert and Evans.But I could add also Ivanov, Kolobnev, Contador, Kreuziger,Valverde,Hesjedal and many others.In order to take a careful look to all the teams who are taking part in tomorrow's race,here's the provisional start list (taken from Cyclingnews and accompanied by the usual useless comments of mine).
ACQUA & SAPONE: Codol, Failli, Garzelli, Honig, Masciarelli, Paolini, Sarmiento.Garzelli was 2nd in Liége in 2002,Masciarelli is a strong climber and also Paolini could be dangerous.
AG2R LA MONDIALE: Bouet, Champion, Dupont, Gadret, Kadri, Lelay, Riblon, Roche.
ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI: Bertagnolli, Bertogliati, Bertolini, Ginanni, Margutti, Piemontesi, Solari, Wurf.Me predicts that someone will enter a breakaway,perhaps with other riders from a team like,say,Acqua & Sapone.
ASTANA: Contador, Fofonov, Gasparotto, Grivko, M.Iglinskiy, Jufre, Pereiro Sio, Vinokourov. What a team,Logic states. Vinokourov won a Liége back in 2005 (on that occasion second was Voigt and 3rd was Boogerd), Contador was 3rd in Fleche (and looked a bit disappointed for this result), Pereiro won TdF 2006, Gasparotto was 3rd in Amstel last week and Iglinskiy won Eroica. Vino is in good form,just like Gasparotto and Iglinskiy (the magic couple Enrico-Maxim is in a great form since March,to say it all). Contador is always in form when climbs are concerned, so I believe that in the last kms he'll surely be there with the group of the best riders.Anyway this team has so many good riders that it's hard to say who the most dangerous is.Contador keeps on saying that Liége will be just an "experience race" for him (but he said the same things also before of Giro 2008),while many people thought that Vinokourov would have abandoned Trentino during the last stage (in spite of being the GC leader) because he wanted to be at the top for Liége. Therefore,me thinks that Vino will be ready to give battle,even if Contador will be there as well in the end.And look out for the couple Gasparotto-Iglinskiy!
BBOX BOUYGUES TELECOM: Bichot, Charteau, Fedrigo, Gautier, Lefevre, Rolland, Trofimov, Voeckler. Pierrick is racing and me is happy.
BMC: Bookwalter, Evans, Frank, Louder, Morabito, Santambrogio, Zahner. The provisional start list also includes Santambrogio,but me doesn't know whether he'll really race because,from the theoric point of view,the team has suspended him before Flanders for that anti-doping investigation in Mantova.And if BMC had suspended Mauro's suspension (yes,I like stupid words play),Italian newspapers would all be cheering about that right now,wouldn't they? Anyway,this team features the promising Mathias Frank and,more important, the World Champion Evans. Poor Karsten Kroon broke his nose and other 2 bones in his face after a crash in Fleche (I wish him a fast and good recover),so the team captain will be this funny Australian man with a squeeky voice and a rainbow jersey.

CAISSE D'EPARGNE: Erviti, Garcia Acosta, Kiryenka, Lopez Garcia, Moreau, Pasamontes, LL Sanchez, Valverde. Here's another strong team.Kiryenka is oh so going to attack,while LL and Aliejandro,sorry,Alejandro (yes,it was another stupid word play with the fact that "Liége" in Spanish is "Lieja") will probably be there in the end.However I believe that Valverde (2006 and 2008 winner) will be the team captain,while the young LL will be a protected rider.
CERVELO: Deignan, Florencio, Gustov, King, Konovalovas, Sastre, Tondo, Wyss. Oh,Konovalovas is racing just like Wyss! Yes, Fangirl is happy. Anyway I believe the team's captain will be Tondo. "What about Sastre?",I hear you ask.Well, I believe that Sastre will just use Liége as a good test for understanding how his form is,and so he will probably leave the captain role to Tondo,the hero who last week drove for about 1600 kms in order to reach Maastricht before the start of Amstel (me is obviouly aware of the fact that,after writing these things, Sastre will show he is the team's captain since the very first km of race).
COFIDIS: Duque, El Fares, Kern, Kriit, Moinard, Moncoutie, Pauriol, Taramaae.Attention to Taramaae-he's not afraid of attacking and has the chance of getting a good result.
EUSKALTEL: Anton, Galdos, Isasi, Egoi Martinez, Oroz, Perez Lezaun, Sesma Sorbet, Velasco Murillo. Anton showed a great form in Fleche and he may double the show tomorrow in the last kms.
FRANCAISE DES JEUX: Cherel, Di Gregorio, Le Mevel, Meersman, Roux, Roy, Sulzberger, Vaugrenard.
GARMIN TRANSITIONS: Hesjedal, Kessiakoff, Lowe, D.Martin, Christian and Cameron Meyer, Peterson, Stetina. Hesjedal is a very good rider (2nd in Amstel last week),but also Kessiakoff is a good climber.
LAMPRE FARNESE VINI: Bono, Cunego, Gavazzi, Loosli, Mori, Pietropolli, Righi, Spezialetti. Cunego will probably feel the pressure of the fact that the Italians haven't won a Classic/Grand Tour since October 2008 ,just like the Gazzetta journalists love reminding to the readers every single day.He was 3rd in 2006 and I believe that,if he's in form, he can really do something good (although this week he didn't look very brilliant to me).As far as the others are concerned, Loosli is in super form.
LANDBOUWKREDIET: Bellemakers, Commeyne, De Waele, Delfosse, Dockx, Ricci Poggi, Scheirlincx, Verheyen. Well,a team whose name is "Landbouwkrediet" must have someone with surnames like Scheirlincx or Bellemakers in it,doesn't it? Although 'Delfosse' sounds like an Italian surname (it would mean 'of the ditches'),Sebastien is Belgian,just like Riccì Poggì,ehm,, Ricci Poggi is French.And then in this team there is also a rider called Bart (Dockx) and another one called Bert (De Waele).Anyway,talking about tomorrow's race,and not about the riders' surnames, me hopes that De Waele will get a good placement.
LIQUIGAS: Agnoli, Bellotti, Finetto, Kreuziger, Nibali, Pellizotti, Santaromita, Willems. Another very strong team, with the trio Pellizotti-Nibali-Kreuziger ready to give battle. Pellizotti however is getting ready for the Giro so I think he won't have a leading role.Kreuziger showed his form in Fleche,just like Nibali.They're both young,cunny,talented and brave,so I think that they'll be a danger for everyone tomorrow.
OMEGA PHARMA LOTTO: Aerts, Brandt, Gilbert, Kaisen, Moreno Fernandez, Peraud, Van Den Broeck, Van Goolen. Gilbert,the boy who lives near La Redoute,desperately wants to win this race after winning Amstel and so he'll give it all to try achieving this dream of his.He's a good climber,he's fast and he's got a great punch,so he'll be dangerous for everyone if he arrives in Saint-Nicolas with the best riders' group.The team will support him completely.
QUICKSTEP: Barredo, Cataldo, Chavanel, Devenyns, Devolder, Pineau, Seeldrayers and Van De Walle. Chavanel, Barredo and Van De Walle were seen at the head of the peloton during this week ,but I believe that the most dangerous in this team (together with them) is Seeldrayers. Devolder once wanted to win the Tour and has won 2 Tours of Flanders,but I don't know whether he'll be able to keep the pace on La Redoute.
RABOBANK: Freire, Garate, Gesink, Martens, Menchov, Moerenhout, Tankink,Ten Dam. Fangirl is happy because Menchov is racing (the Giro is approaching and I keep on annoying my sister about last year's result of that race),although the Russian who suffers from spring allergies (how I understand him!) has said that Liége will be just a test for him.Therefore,look out for Gesink.If he doesn't crash/puncture and if aliens don't kidnap him during the race,he could be dangerous.And I'm curious to see which role Freire will have.
SKY: Calzati, Carlstrom, Cummings, Froome, Gerrans, Lovkvist, Nordhaug, Wiggins.Oh,finally I have the honour of seeing Lovely Lovkvist's name in a start list.Wow. Wiggo is preparing the Giro,so he should be already in good form. Anyway I believe that the team's captain will be Lovkvist.
TEAM HTC COLUMBIA: Albasini,Guldhammer, Lewis, T.Martin, Monfort, Siutsou (how can he be in the start list if he broke his collarbone last month?),Van Garderen,P.Velits. Policeman Toni Martin (scoop from Miss Sansen's blog http://sansenmag.l%20ivejournal.com/182793.html ) will be the captain,whereas TJ Van Garderen showed a good condition in Tour of Turkey.
KATIUSHA: Ivanov, Klimov, Kolobnev, Mazzanti, Rodriguez, Vandenbergh, Vantomme, Vorganov. Kolobnev,Ivanov and Rodriguez showed an incredible form over the last days and they'll be at the front also tomorrow.Look out for them!
MILRAM: Frohlinger, Gajek, Gerdemann, Knees, Rohregger, Voss, Wegmann. Linus is going to be team captain's in Giro,so he should be already in good form.
RADIOSHACK: Busche, Hermans, Horner, Kloeden, Paulinho, Zubeldia. The Chinese rider Li resulted positive at the anti-doping after a race in March and was suspended by his team (news: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/radioshack-suspends-li-after-doping-positive ).This has obviously caused some exaggerated title on some websites (for example, "Armstrong ramt af dopinskandale" by http://www.sporten.dk/cykling ),but since my blogging idea about doping is "let's talk about it as least as possible",I will go on with the start list and won't spend useless words about this. Horner is in good form,so he'll probably be the captain together mit Andreas Kloden.
SAXO BANK: Didier,Fuglsang,Jorgensen,Andy and Frank Schleck,N.Sorensen,Voigt, Steensen. Yes,I know that Cyclingnews says that also Chris Anker will race tomorrow but believe me, he's not racing.In fact he received the "you can go back training on the asphalt" message from the doctors just yesterday,so I don't believe he'll immediatly come back racing in tomorrow's Liége. Anyway, the team is strong.Didier has showed his talent also during Fleche,Jorgensen and Steensen are precious helpers and I guess there's no need to talk about Nicki Sorensen,Voigt and Fuglsang to make you understand how good they are.The captains will be the Schleck brothers and hopefully Frank will be the one who'll raise his arms to the sky in Liége.
TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN-MERCATOR: Armee, Baugnies, Coenen, De Gendt, Jacobs, Neyens, Van Hecke, Vanspeybrouck.

So,this is the start list.Now it's time to try and give my race predictions,starting from last year's winner Andy Schleck.Last year Andy seemed stronger to me (yes,I know you disagree),although this year his motivation is probably as high as never because,apart from being the 2009 winner of La Doyenne,he's also just become uncle.Lots of people then expect a lot from him this year, but this shouldn't be a problem since it seems that Andy can stand pressure in a perfect way. However it is also true that this time the other riders will try not to let him get away from the group all alone.And if Andy arrives in Liége together with a guy like Valverde or Gilbert,well,he's likely to be outsprinted by them (at least in theory).Anyway this year the parcours seems even harder than last year's one and so Andy and his teammates will have more opportunities to make their adversaris become tired before they arrive in Liége.
As far as Frank Schleck,is concerned,I think he's even more motivated than Andy and on him there is less pressure than on his brother.His form is very good and I think that Andy tomorrow will race for daddy Frankie rather than for himself.Anyway the sprint problem worths also for Frank.In fact I believe that he can outsprint guys like Evans or,say,Kreuziger,but I don't think he has many chances against Gilbert or Valverde.
And here we come to Gilbert.He's very motivated,knows the race by heart,he's in a perfect form and has already won Amstel last week.He's fast and can keep a high pace on climbs,so he's one of my race favourites,although we must remember that a wrong day can happen to everyone (Philippe included).

Valverde, just like Gilbert, is fast and is a good climber,although his form doesn't seem as good as Gilbert's one. Attention also to his teammate LL Sanchez.
Evans is in a great form,but he has to arrive alone because he's not very fast.The same worths also for Kreuziger,Gesink and Nibali, while Cunego and Garzelli are riders who can get good results if they're on the right day.And then there are the Astana riders,aka Contador and Vinokourov. Vino always tries getting good results and has already won Liége,while Contador is there just to get more experience.Should we trust him?
Joaquim Rodriguez was second last year,but also Ivanov and Kolobnev will be very important for his team.
Then there are obviously the "outsiders" (if we can call them this way) like Igor Anton, Toni Martin, Hesjedal, Horner, Gasparotto, Iglinskiy, Lovkvist and De Waele (first names that came into my mind).Hoping that one of the Schleck will win,I close this post with a pic from last year's Liége and some random links about the brothers.

RANDOM LINKS:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/frank-schleck-sees-a-future-at-flanders : I totally agree with Frankie,especially when he talks about the management going to murder him if he decides to change his season schedule.
http://lequotidien.editpress.lu/index.php/les-sports/10852-Nous-avons-les-jambes.html :interview with Frank.
http://lequotidien.editpress.lu/index.php/les-sports/10851-Les-Schleck-centre-dbat.html :article about the Schleck brothers.
http://msn.tv2sporten.no/sykkel/schleck-gjoer-et-nytt-forsoek-paa-soendag-3191305.html : video interview featuring super cute Andy Schleck with unshaved upper lip.
http://www.saxobanktakingthelead.com/?p=2928 :ok, it's an interview with Jonas Jorgensen, not with the Schleck brothers,but you know I have a weakness for Danish cyclists who race for Saxo Bank team,so don't get angry at this poor mad Fangirl.

Wishing you all a good evening and a happy sight of 2010 Liége,I close this post.Allez Schlecks!

(pic by Bettini)

"Le Quotidien" article about the Schleck brothers (part 2):

Link: http://lequotidien.editpress.lu/les-sports/7168.html

The day had been stormy,exhausting.It ended in triumph for the Schleck brothers that,as no one ever did before,went to the post race press conference together,in order to express their emotions.

"Without him, I would not be here...". Andy Schleck whispered this sentence to explain why his brother Frank had to win the queen stage of the Tour and the addresser of these words,pronounced on Wednesday,July 22,2009,was Nicolas Sarkozy.
The French president had been moving around for the whole day on that occasion,welcoming lots of people and moving from a place to another,but couldn't steal the spotlight from the two Schleck brothers,heroes of the day.So he went near to Johnny Schleck,the happy father of the two phenomena,and couldn't hide how the Tour had always marked his imagination when he was a child.

Just like his father,with the same grey eyes,Steve Schleck lived the final steps of the Grand Bornard stage with his eyes focused on the big screen in the finish area.

"At one point,my father stopped speaking to me in Luxembourgish.He asked me few questions in French.I looked at him and I realized how much he was shocked",he revealed us (NDR;the journalist is always Denis Bastien) a few days later when the Tour took the direction of the Mount Ventoux.

For the Schleck family,the Grand Bornard one was a great day,indeed,although they've started getting used to these strong emotions since the Amstel Gold Race 2006. The dream of Johnny Schleck was becoming true in a way that no one,nor he nor anyone else,could have predicted.

"My dream is to see them both fighting for the victory of a Grand Tour or of a big mountain stage",the former helper of Luis Ocana has often said in recent years.
A dream that,before of this July,had already become true on the day of the 2008 Liege-Bastogne-Liege which ended with Frank's 3rd placement and Andy's 4th one.And the dream continued during the 2008 Tour de France.On that occasion there were Frank's yellow jersey to defend and Andy's white one to to take to Paris.And then there was the triumph of Andy in the 2009 Liége.A triumph,as we know,marked by the same family spirit,with Frank controlling the adversaires and Andy speeding to his first major success in a classic.

But here,this time we were in July.The 2009 Tour de France had struggled to take off and everyone was focused on the fratricide war between Contador and Armstrong.Both men wore the same jersey and rode for the same team,Astana.But they were clearly fighting against one another.Soon there was a fracture between them and after leaving the Pyrenees, it seemed that no one could disturb their personal battle.First: Contador.Second: Armstrong.

"Do not worry,you'll see us attacking in the Grand-Bornand stage",the Schleck brothers kept on prosiming.Since the start of the Tour and even before,the two brothers had refused the idea of waiting until the day of the Mont Ventoux to make a big attack with their team."Yes,but when will you attack then?" They were asked everyday,before and after the stages,while the days slowly passed...

"The Col du Romme will be terrible,you'll see...»,they used to answer with a look of exasperation on their faces. It was actually there,on the Col du Romme,that the two brothers went into action,the day after the terrible fall of their friend and teammate Jens Voigt.

Johnny Schleck was surprised.Under his eyes,he had the scenario he had often hoped to see in his dreams.His sons were attacking and only Contador could hold on to them,waiting for the storm to pass.

The kms passed. The gap between the 3 men at the front of the race and the adversaires was becoming bigger and bigger.Armstrong and Wiggins were being sent away from the podium on which Andy and Frank Schleck where gradually climbing.After the Col du Colombiére,there was only the Grand Bornard descent to face.

"At the top of the Col de la Colombiere,I said to Frank:'You know that we're going to win?' I told him I was going to go first in the descent.After all,I can ride better downhill than he can.I told him: "I go first on the descent and you,you win the stage"",Andy Schleck explained later during an unforgettable press conference.On that occasion in fact,for the first time in the Tour history, two riders arrived together to the press conference dedicated to the stage winner.

That evening the two brothers explained they wanted to arrive second and third in Paris,but the TT of the following day allowed Lance Armstrong to unseat Frank,who got back into the fifth position.
But the Schleck brothers still have the freshness and the family happiness that they showed to the whole world on the 22/7/09.They promised to come back in 2010,for new deeds that will cause their supporters and familiars to cry in front of the screens once again.

Andy Schleck:"Everything worked as planned"
For me it was be the best moment of this year Tour de France.What we did that day was a great family thing.Personally,I had another great moment on the top of the Mont Ventoux,from where I could see the whole France.
Regarding the Grand Bornand stage I especially remember the fall of Jens Voigt on the previous day. In the morning meeting before of the Grand Bornand stage,it was clear that we had to do the best race possible for Jens.And then there was this need to do something to ensure us a place on the podium.
Finally, everything went as we wanted.We wanted to leave Lance Armstrong,Bradley Wiggins and Andreas Klöden behind,and they arrived over two minutes after us.Our mission was successful.What we did is a source of great joy.I was incredibly proud of my family,our parents, our big brother.It was really something wonderful. "

Frank Schleck: "We made history"
Every time I look back on the Grand Bornard stage,I remember that in that stage there were just three riders ahead.The yellow jersey Alberto Contador, and the two Schleck brothers.It is a great memory and not just because I won that stage.I just lived a great moment with Andy.I never compare victories,because I think it's always great to win important races,but that day was really great from the emotional point of view.
The previous day,after the finish of the stage when Jens (Voigt) had fallen,a German journalist told me about Jens' crash while I was getting on the bus.After walking on the bus steps,I collapsed.I cried a lot.I was tired and I thought about Jens,his family,his five children.I asked myself a lot of questions about the dangers in our sport.
That evening I talked with Andy for an hour.And the next day he wanted us to attack together for Jens and because we had to try and change the history of this Tour de France.We knew that that stage was one of the cards that we had to play if we wanted to get on the Paris podium.After the Grand-Bornand stage,we were 2nd and 3rd in the GC.The next day,everyone in the peloton welcomed us and I remember that many riders told me:"You'll surely arrive on the podium in Paris,both of you ..." Finally I finished fifth, but we must accept that".

Writing history:
In the young and already long story that the new generation of cyclists has written,bringing the Luxembourgish cycling back to its former glory,there are some moments that we always like recalling. The great work that Benoit Joachim did for Lance Armstrong.The many successes of Kim Kirchen,just like his victory in the 2008 Flèche Wallonne before of getting the yellow and the green jerseys in the 2008 Tour de France.He then passed the maillout jaune to Frank Schleck,who then gave it to his teammate Carlos Sastre,and that was the price of a hard but winning team strategy.

By winning the Amstel Gold Race and the famous stage of Alpe-d'Huez in 2006, the elder of the Schleck brothers was the first rider to awaken the passion that Luxembourg has for its cyclists. A passion that increased over the last Tour de France with Andy's 2nd place on the Paris podium.Second in the 2007 Giro and winner of the 2009 edition of the legendary classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege,the white jersey in the 2008 Tour was soon considered as a minor achievement of this young boy.
But for its very strong symbolic meaning,the attack of the two brothers on the 17th stage of Tour 2009,from Bourg-Saint-Maurice to Le Grand Bornand,has caught the imagination of many people.

Who,between those who follow the Tour de France,has never heard about the Schleck brothers? Not just because they were the only ones that challenged Alberto.Cycling had already seen 2 or even 3 brothers racing together in its history.But two brothers struggling to stand on the Paris podium together,that was a unique moment,and in cycling now there is a big passion for the Schleck history.
Thi year edition of the race has already made them become 2 of the main characters of next year Tour de France. But before of rushing to 2010,we must remember what happened on July 22, 2009. A moment of eternity for an entire country.A moment of eternity for two brothers who,long ago in their youth as in their common trainings,have dreamed to succeed in it.
A strong attack on the great Alpine peaks.A beautiful stage finish where two best friends-and brothers-raised their arms together to the sky.That evening,the two Schleck brothers tasted the Paris podium.Only one will remain there three days later."But who cares about that",Frank Schleck said some days after the finish of the race,"we've written the history of the Tour..."

"Le Quotidien" article about the Schleck brothers (part 1):

The first post of this year was an interview,therefore I think it's a must to conclude this year with another interview (and with a usual "My hopes for next year!" post).Actually,I've found 2 interviews regarding the Schleck brothers today:the first one is about Andy's triumph in Liége and you can read about it in this post,the second one instead is about Frank's victory in Le Grand Bornard stage of the Tour (see next post to read it).Enjoy!

Link: http://lequotidien.editpress.lu/les-sports/7162.html
The victory of Andy Schleck in Liege-Bastogne-Liege,his first major success in a classic,wasn't a matter of luck.Simply,that day he was the strongest.He triumphed.A first great success to which many other great victories will follow.Inevitably...
Apart from the tears caused by a crazy emotion,it ended as it had begun seven hours earlier. With a laugh.A blink of an eye.A hug.As if their destinies of brothers and cyclists couldn't be divided in any way.
Yes,immediately after leaving the Team Saxo Bank bus stationed in Place Saint-Lambert, Liège, on the 26th of April 2009,Andy and Frank Schleck started to laugh in a great way.After sitting on their bikes in fact they realised that,actually,they were sitted on the wrong vehicles.Andy in fact was speeding to the signing of the start sheet on Frank's bike-and vice versa.

The similarity and the fact of living together are two key elements that the Schleck brothers perfectly handle when they're on and off their bikes.And their ability in handling these 2 elements was often shown on the stage of the Liege-Bastogne-Liège.

In 2007,when Andy rides the Doyenne for the first time,he decides to attack on La Redoute in order to help Frank.All the other riders think that the one who's attacking is Frank and they immediately stop Andy's action.This story has been told many times and always causes the brothers to laugh.
The following year,the scenario was even more striking.For the first time in the Liége's history, the riders had to face the Roche-aux-Faucons,the climb where Andy has built his success this year.But a year earlier,on that climb,Andy attacked together with Frank and this move changed the story of the race.Caught by Valverde's group,Andy tried to escape again,with ten kilometers to go,before of finishing fourth,one placement behind Frank.
After having raced it for 2 times,Andy's was convincted of the fact that Liege-Bastogne-Liege is HIS race.And this opinion,in 2009,was proved to be correct with a great victory.Not even the terrible fall of Frank in the Amstel Gold Race,a week earlier,could change things.

Andy began the Amstel Gold Race with the idea of helping his elder brother,who was in a great condition,but then,after Frank's fall,the youngest of the Schleck brothers decided to help his Dutch teammate Karsten Kroon.When he took that decision,Andy hadn't seen the violent images of his brother's fall yet.Only much later,returning to the hotel,he understood that the Schleck family had risked to live a tragedy that day.
The following days,with Frank at home in Mondorf-les-Bains,since wisdom obviously suggested him not racing in the Fleche Wallonne,Andy was trying to defeat his dark thoughts.And he went fishing,like he and Frank had already planned to do,in the waters of the Meuse,near their hotel in Lanaken,on the border between Belgium and the Netherlands.

The recipe was good,because on Wednesday evening Andy finished second in the Fleche Wallonne won by Davide Rebellin.His mind was made up: if I can arrive 2nd on the Wall of Huy after only 200 kilometers of racing,I will find some way to win the Doyenne between 4 days and after 260 kilometers that are much more selective than the Fleche's ones.

"I feel I can do it,but if I want to win I must attack with at least twenty kilometers to go.I assure you,without being arrogant,that I didn't ride a la bloc when we were facing the Keutenberg climb,last Sunday in the Amstel.But in the Liége,I'll ride at full gas.And then,Cunego and Valverde will have problems",he told me (NDR;the journalist who wrote the article is Denis Bastien) the day before of the Fleche.The following evening,of course,he was even more convincted of his ideas.

Then the Liége arrived,and Andy's great action is still remembered.With twenty kilometers to go,Philippe Gilbert,who had attacked boldly on La Redoute climb,was alone at the head of the race. Suddenly,Andy Schleck looked to the riders at the head of the group and then attacked in a very impressive way.
The Mondorfois,taking advantadge from his ally with Frank,morally and physically recovered,rides at full gas.With his style,a combination of power and sourplesse,he goes,with his hands on the bike's brakes.He was off to his first classic victory.The greatest classic for grimpeurs."The greatest classic of all",as Andy Schleck often says.
As he attacks,nothing and nobody can get in his way,so here comes the first triumph of this gifted young champion.The result and the end of history is an emotion.
Andy's obviously happy of his triumph,a triumph that was predicted already a long time ago.And then,after the race,there is his family.There's Frank who,to be sure that he's not daydreaming,watches Andy's triumph on the great screen overlooking the finish line and watches the images of his brother waving an arm to the grey sky of Liége.There's Johnny,the father,who had awaited for this moment for a long time, while taking care not to add anything to this perfect but stressful moment.And finally there is Gaby,the mother,who the boy gently scolds for bursting into tears after witnessing his huge success.

"In a state of grace ..."
Andy Schleck (winner): "I do not know whether it was an amazing victory,I haven't had the time to review the race yet,but if you ask me,of course I think it was a great success! I don't want to shout it from the rooftops,but I think I've just ridden my perfect race of the year.Now it will be hard to do better than that".

"Frank was even happier than he usually is when he wins a race.I did not cry.When Frank won the Amstel in 2006,I bursted into tears,but Frank did not cry that day.Our emotions go from me to him and vice versa.Today I fighted also for him.After his fall,last Sunday in the Amstel Gold Race,I feared the worst.After watching it on tv,I was shocked for two days.But tonight I am a happy man.I won the race of my dreams and Frank was there with me".
Frank Schleck (23th) "I don't know what to say,it's crazy.Fabulous! I knew that Andy was strong and that the team was working well,but at one point I thought that Andy had gone too far.Anyway the guys behind didn't attack and also Rebellin couldn't escape from the chasing group.Andy has won the most beautiful classic.I won the Amstel in 2006,now it's my turn to win the Doyenne.There is an image that I think that lots of people will remember.After Andy's attack,a TV camera showed me.I was smiling and showed my thumb up.We made a great show. We were in a state of grace,almost carried by our euphoria. "
Bjarne Riis (manager of Team Saxo Bank): "The race was wonderful and everything went as planned.Andy's attack was really impressive.It takes courage to attack like that. "
Johnny Schleck (the proud dad):"It's beautiful,beautiful.It still surprises me,although I've been seeing them making progresses for lots of years.Living these moments for me is unimaginable but true. "

Philippe Gilbert (4th): "We unfortunately ran into a super Andy Schleck today.There was nothing to do against him.Since the beginning of the race,we felt that the Saxo Bank was going to decide the race,so I wanted to anticipate a possible attack from the Schlecks.But when Andy caught me,I could not follow him.He dropped me without any problem".

Andy's success in numbers
1: Liege-Bastogne-Liege.Andy Schleck won it on the 27th of April 2009.In 2007 he finished second in the Giro.Then in July 2009 he also came in 2nd in the Tour de France.

2: Andy Schleck was the second Luxembourgish after Marcel Ernzer (winner in 1954) to win Liége.
3: Before of Andy's triumph,the Schleck family already had the honor of getting on the Liége podium twice,since Frank was third in the race both in 2007 and 2008.
4 : In the Top 30 of the 2009 Liege-Bastogne-Liege there were four Saxo Bank riders: Kolobnev (9th),Frank Schleck (23) and Nicki Sorense (26th).
10 years: Since Frank Vandenbroucke's success in 1999,no one had managed to achieve a solo victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege.At the time "VDB" planned his attack,just like Andy did this April.
19 : The kms that Andy Schleck had to face alone before of reaching the finish-line in Ans.
23: Andy Schleck was 23 last April,therefore he's one of the youngest winners of the Doyenne.
77 : The seconds that eventually separated Andy from the second rider to cross the finish line,Joaquim Rodriguez.
84: The number of the SMS of congratulations that Andy Schleck received the evening of the Liége.

Article about Andy + Frank talking about his marriage

Article about Andy:
http://www.wort.lu/wort/web/sport/%20artikel/%2059394/moechte-die-tour-de-france-einmal-gewinnen.php (German).This article appeared on Luxembourg Wort's website and a big part of it is a repetition of what Andy already said to Le Quotidien.Here are the "new" parts:
Andy talking about boot camps: "Taking part in a boot camp is always very interesting.You never know what to expect.Bjarne and Co.always find something new for us.You learn how to push yourself over your limits and how to go over them.Team spirit and unity become stronger during these camps,since you can't get over the camp's proofs if you and the other guys don't work as a team.During these camps you can also see someone's leadership skills in a very fast way".

Andy about 2006 boot camp: "It's the 6th year in a row that I take part in one of these camps.In 2006 we were in South Africa and my roommate was Bobby Julich.The evening before of the beginning of the camp we decided to watch a film because we thought that we would have been woken up shortly past midnight.At about 2 am we saw a man wearing a military uniform come to our room's door,therefore we began to get prepared in order to be ready when they called us for the beginning of the camp. Unfortunately we waited for someone to come and wake us up until 6 am.Bobby and I didn't sleep at all that night,therefore we were terribly tired even before of the camp's true beginning.However I don't make this kind of mistakes anymore...".

Andy's plans for the December month: 10th of December:Sportive Press Association Gala.After that he will go skiing for few days.

Andy about Contador:"Alberto is a simple guy,with both feet down on Earth.You can laugh a lot when you're with him,he's a nice guy and we get on very well. Unfortunately he's also a very strong rider,perhaps the greatest talent of the last 10 years.It's a pity that I've had to come across him during my career.Anyway,he's not unbeatable".
Andy about the Tour: "I want to win the Tour at least once in my career.I will try everything in order to make this dream come true.I still have to improve in the TTs,but I'm working hard on that and I keep on improving.The Tour is special also because of the unity that it race creates inside a team,since during it you live together with your teammates and you suffer with them for 3 weeks.This year I was really sad when the Tour was over.On the penultimate day I really had to fight with my emotions.For 3 weeks you just think about the cool beer that you'll drink as soon as you arrive in Paris,on the Champs Elysées.Then the last day comes and you're overflown by sadness".
About the Tour of Flanders:"I'd like to run the Tour of Flanders (4th of April) next year,but the big problem is the race's collocation in the calendar.In fact the Tour of the Basque Country,which is the best preparation you can have if you want to have a very good form for the Ardenne's classics,begins just one day after the Flanders".
Random off topic du interview: When he's in top form and isn't moving,Andy's heart beats 28 times pro minute.

Article About Frank:

http://www.sporten.dk/ovrig-cykling/pa-knae-i-badeshorts (Dansk).With a little help from my friend Google Translater I've tried to translate this article,here's the (hopefully good) result:

Frank Schleck has a big smile on his face.After all,he has lots of reasons to smile.Although it wasn't planned and he was wearing a swimsuit and a pair of swimming slippers,he proposed to Martine-the girl who has been his girlfriend for the last 9 years-and she said "yes".

"It was fantastic",Frank said."Andy knew of my will to propose to Martine and we talked about it during the whole travel to Curaçao.Andy suggested me waiting until the closing ceremony,but the right moment actually came during the opening party.We had just finished to swim and we were looking at fireworks.Andy came up to me,poked me in the ribs and told me that it was the right moment. I just got on my knee,in swimsuits,and made my proposal.Luckily Martine said yes",Frank said.

The marriage day hasn't been decided yet,but it will be after 2010 Tour de France.Therefore Martine has over half a year to organise the party,since Frank doesn't want to take part in the wedding organisation."I said to her: 'I will marry you,but you'll have to organise the wedding.I don't want to hear anything about it,it's up to you to organise a nice big party and to invite all the guests",Frank said.He knows it may be an expensive experience."But I pay to get rid of the problems",he laughs.

Although Martine had wanted to marry Frank for years,the older of the Schleck brothers had said that wedding wasn't for him for lots of years.Now however he's changed his mind."Martine is the perfect girl for me,she knows me very well and she always helps me.No one can change my mind about my decision of marrying her",said Frank.

(pic by Serge Waldbillig)

Andy: "I'm already focused on the Tour"

Here's the translation of an article about the Schleck brothers taken from Le Quotidien (link: http://lequotidien.editpress.lu/les-sports/6571.html ).I've translated it from French to English and,since I know French even less than Russian (I am not joking),you should read the translation made by myself just if you know French as bad as me.Otherwise,you'd better read the original French article.

In the case your French is as bad as mine,here's the translation (and don't get too angry if something doesn't make sense!!):

ANDY SCHLECK:"I'M ALREADY FOCUSED ON THE TOUR"
His victory in Liége-Bastogne-Liége.His relationship with Frank and their common future.His ambitions.His winter training.Alberto Contador.Andy Schleck doesn't hide anything in an interview with Denis Bastien.

We could,or should,have begun our interview with Andy Schleck with this question: how do you feel at the end of 2009 year?

Instead Andy made us wait few minutes before of telling us how he feels about the end of this season and about the new year approaching.And the answer to the question is that,at the end of 2009,Andy Schleck feels very good."I've never,never felt so well before in this period.I had the best holiday ever in Curaçao,together with my brother and my mother.Too bad that my father didn't come! Now I'm really looking forward to meeting again my teammates.Really,I think I've never been so motivated before..."
Andy,you stopped your season in September with the Mendrisio Worlds.Have you had the time in the last two months to enjoy the results you've reached this year?
"The Liége's victory made a dream of mine come true.I didn't realise immediately what I had done,although I was aware of the importance of that race.In my opinion,the Liége is even more beautiful than the Paris-Roubaix and I knew I could win it.I got to know that it had been a long time since a rider last won it with an attack in the final kms just after the race.That made me feel proud of what I've done.I think I made something big.One day,during the Tour,Lance Armstrong said to me:"I'd never seen a rider win that classic as you did".I liked that compliment,yes,I was pretty proud...
And then July came,together with the Tour de France.Your second placement in the GC,Frank's 5th one...
To me,the best moment of the race was Frank's victory in Grand Bornard.That stage,it was a family thing,a very big one,really.We were really motivated also because of Voigt's crash the previous day.
What was,in your opinion,the best souvenir from the 2009 Tour de France?
It may sound strange,but to me it was a moment on the Mont Ventoux top.At a certain point, right after the stage,while I was on the podium,I looked at the blue sky,that was very beautiful on that day.There weren't many people around,so I started to think.I will always remember that moment.It was the day before of the Paris stage,there was this wonderful blue sky and I realised that the Tour was nearly over.I was incredibly happy,I think often about that moment...
The last TdF has increased your popularity,that was already very big.How do you see this fact?
I feel a great pride for me,for my family and for my country.For example,the other day I was in Germany.Someone told me: "Luxembourg? The country of cyclists?".Some time ago,people used to match Luxembourg with Banks.Now people match Luxembourg with Cycling.I'm proud of having given a contribute to this.And it's true that this happened because of the Tour, the biggest race of the world.And the Tour also allows me to get my salary,I'm aware of it and I really can't complain.
That's what people call "Notoriety"...
Yes,but I also know that all this could stop very fast.Cycling is a dangerous sport.You can fall,you can get hurt...Just think about that young Italian rider that died while training (NDR;the Italian junior champion,Anthony Orsani,died on Sunday after having a bad accident with a car while training).Everyday,while you race,you play with your life.Sometimes you think about it.If you fall and have a serious crash,then your life can go back to zero.But luckily,training here in Luxembourg is pretty safe.It's a kind of paradise if you want to train without risks.
Talking about the 2009 season,do you regret what happened during the Vuelta and during the Worlds?
After the Tour,I felt in a great form and I did some criteriums.Then,all of a sudden,I started to feel the fatigue.An enormous fatigue.For one week,I just didn't want to talk about cycling or to hear someone talk about it.I was fed up.Even watching a race on television was unbearable to me.Then I take up training again to take part in the Vuelta.Frank told me:"We're racing the Vuelta and then the Worlds".And so I trained very well and went at the departure of the race.
Then you decided to retire...

Yes,the night before of a stage (NDR;Andy left the race during the 8th stage) I suffered from gastrititis,so I decided to go home.At home I trained again,but in my mind everything was already over.I had the desire of going fishing or going out walking with my dogs.And the Worlds were a disaster for me.So I decided not to race the last races of the season.I told Riis and Andersen: "I stop here.If I want to have a good 2010 season,I have to rest a while".
What's the result of this choice?
I can say that the decision of stopping racing was really good,I'd never trained this way before.After the holidays,I made lots of different things.On Friday,Frank and I trained for 6 hours! It was the first time I trained so much.We're also doing some weight training,some swimming and of course we're riding our bikes.That's good to have a good basis.I really want to go back racing,to meet the boys again (NDR;the first team meeting is on Saturday with the traditional boot camp.After a week of boot camp the riders will train for a week.Before of that,the Schleck brothers will be in Denmark for a sponsor event).
You're really impatient!
I'm really happy,that's true.I'm varying my training.I'm also going to ski for 4 days! I rememver that in 2007,before of my first Giro d'Italia,I went skiing for a week between the Paris-Nice and the Criterium International...
Let's say that you've found again the pleasure of riding your bike again...
I'm training without stress in these days and so I'm having a lot of fun.In this period I usually ride in the woods on a Specialized Cyclocross bike.That bike is a little jewel!
Talking about the 2010 season,your team seems a bit weaker...What do you think about it?
I don't think that we'll have a weaker team.Not for the Grand Tours,at least.Karsten Kroon was a precious rider for the Classics,but with a guy like Jakob Fuglsang we'll be very strong anyway.Last year for example he worked in a great way during the Liége.
Also Kurt-Asle Arvesen has changed team.
Yes,he's changed team as well,but he'll always remain a friend of mine.And the same worths for Karsten.They've changed team,that's life.We remain friends.One day,I may run for another team as well.It's normal when you're a cyclist.
Your contract ends in 2010 and so all the best teams of the World would love you to race for them.It seems that Radioshack is really interested in you...
Talking about my future,one thing is clear and sure,I'll never go in a team without Frank! My future will always be chained with his.It will be a "two guys package" or nothing,even if this will involve earning less money.But at the moment I don't have any problem with Saxo Bank,I'm happy to ride in this team.I'm really happy at the idea of seeing all my teammates again,this idea makes me feel good.
How has your behaviour towards your teammates changed during these years?
I've been a pro for 6 years now.I'll always remember the chances that Riis gave me when I was younger and I'll always be thankul for this.Talking about my relationship with the other team riders,I like it when the new pros come and ask for advice.For example,sometimes the new riders want to oganise their training programme basing themselves on my own programme,but I always suggests them not doing so.I tell them to do their own programme,thinking about their own skills,that's how they can improve step by step.

It seems that you have a great control not just during the races but also during the trainings...

I've got experience,but I'm still too nervous during the races.I'll never thank Frank enough for the guide role he has towards me.During the decisive moments,he can always read the race very well.He tells me to pay attention to this or to that.I'm sure that,without him,I would have never came in 2nd in a Tour de France.

Talking about Frank:he's recently said that you've made a deal.You win the Amstel Gold Race,he wins the Liége.Do you agree with him?

Absolutely,this would be amazing for us.Of course we can't know in advance how the races will end up,but I'd love to win the Amstel,while Frank instead has everything it takes to win a Liége. However,it will be important to take part in the Liége at 100% of form.That's why it could be too dangerous for us to race the Tour of Flanders.In the next years,we may race it...
After the Classics you'll have your second seasonal goal,the Tour de France.

The Tour,I'm already focused on it! To win the Tour,since it's my main goal,I think I still need to improve in the TTs.In this period I'm working on my legs,on my arms and my back in order to get better in the TTs,even if I don't want to take on too much weight.Anyway,I think that I've already got better in the last years and that I may keep on improving.

Will Contador become even stronger in the next years?

The main goal of my career is to win the Tour,that's clear.And right now,Contador is stronger than me.I would have preferred not to come across him in my career,I would have preferred it if he had raced 10 years ago! He's got a great,great talent.Perhaps he's even stronger than Lance Armstrong.

How can you beat him?

Sometimes he shows some weaknesses,just like he did in the Paris-Nice.Therefore he's not unbeatable.But to beat him,we really must do everything in a perfect way.Anyway,I do what can be done.If I I give my best and I can't win,I'll be happy anyway,since I'll have given my best to try and win the Tour.And if I don't even make it to the podium,I won't die because of it.For the moment,the big favourite of the race is Contador.

Will Contador's team be his weak point next July?

No,since in 2010 there isn't any TTT at the Tour.If there had been one,then yes,the team could have been a weak point for Contador.In the next Tour,he'll probably have 2-3 good grimpeurs in his team to help him in the mountain stages,but his problem will be the cobblestones.In the 3rd from Wanze to Arenberg he may suffer,while Frank and I will be able to count on cobblestones specialists like Fabian,Stuart and Matti (Cancellara,O'Grady and Breschel).If there's a way to crate problems to Contador,we'll do it.Therefore we will train a lot and make a recognition of that stage.

NB: A Beautiful Freak left a link to her blog under one of my previous post.Since it is a very interesting one,I give you the link also here: http://mahoela.blogspot.com/

Frank Schleck:"One day,we will both be on the podium in Paris"

Today I've found an interview with the Schleck brothers made by Le Quotidien's journalist Denis Bastien.It is in French and so I had to translate it.Since my knowledge of the French language is,er,not very good,I suggest you to read the original version on http://lequotidien.editpress.lu/les-sports/5273.html. .Anyway,if you don't understand French, here's my translation of the interview.Hope you enjoy it!

On the 26th of July,a Tour de France edition marked by the Schleck brothers ended. In addition to Frank's stage victory on the Grand Bornard,to Andy's white jersey and to the 2nd place in the GC achieved by the younger of the 2 brothers,there were also all the emotion that the 2 Luxembourgian riders gave to the public.They'll come back on their saddles for the Vuelta a Espana,an ideal preparation for the World road race championship in Mendrisio.And perhaps, also for something more... Yesterday afternoon,the Schleck brothers came back on the road.By car.Their direction was the Netherlands,where the Vuelta begins this Saturday.

The Tour de France ended a month ago.How did you feel during those days of break?
AS: It was a good break.It's true,at the end of a Tour there are fatigue and pain.I was really happy to be home again,but it didn't last long.Immediately after the Tour,we raced some Criteriums in Holland.4 days after the end of the French race,there was the Gala of Tour de France.Personally,I was slightly more stressed than Frank.I went from a criterium to another by car.Anyway I've managed to rest a while as well.Don't worry,I've relaxed.
FS: Like Andy,I was really happy to come back home again.It's true that,with all the Criteriums, it's not easy to rest.But yes,I have recovered well.We started to train again 2 weeks ago,in order to be able to pedall well again.Of course right now our form is not great,but we're racing the Vuelta to build it day after day.During the last week of race,we may be able to show something good.
Today,what do you remember from your Tour de France?
FS: I remember what the public said about our performances.They said that,at the end,just Contador and the Schleck brothers tried to make the race exciting.Contador was the strongest, but we tried to create him some problems and we don't have any regret.
AS: I think we gave a good show.We did what we could.It's always easy to say you could have done that,you could have done this,but we're proud of what we did in the Tour.
Have you got any regret?
AS: No.Of course,we lost 40 seconds during the Grande Motte stage.At the end those 40 seconds weren't a big problem for me,but without losing them Frank would have arrived 3rd in the GC.That's our only regret.
FS: With the legs I had in that period,I could have made it to the podium,that's for sure.From my point of view,the 2 strongest riders were Andy and Contador.I thought I could eventually have come in 3rd.Of course,those 40 seconds lost during the Grande Motte stage have been important.But I have another regret.With the time bonus,I could have gained some precious seconds during the Grand Bornard stage.But anyway,let's forget about these regrets,we did a great Tour.One day,we will both be on the podium in Paris
Are you surprised by the way your popularity has increased during the month of July?
AS: Yes,a little.But this was also caused by the way the race went.Evans went out of games after few days.Sastre didn't go very well.We were better.In fact,as Frank said,we were the only rivals for Contador.The public appreciated this fact.The spectators and the viewers love exciting stages and during the last week we made the race more exciting.
FS: Under this point of view,we did everything we could and it's true that the viewers have loved to see us racing that way.
How are things going in Luxembourg?
AS: They're going very well.When we don't have to take part in parties,festivals and so on,we stay calm,we love tranquility.But it's true that now when you stop in a bar to drink a coffee during a training,people ask you to take a photo with them and to give them an autograph.It's nice to be in Luxembourg.It's a pleasure for us.
FS: If we can give happiness to people,we don't hesitate.But after the Tour euphoria,we've stayed calm between one criterium and the other.
Looking at the 2010 edition of the Tour de France,what has this year experience given to you?
AS: The Tour is over and I don't like talking about things that already belong to the past,but of course I gained a lot of confidence after this year's race.It confirmed what I already thought.In 2007,I came 2nd in the Giro.In 2008,I was the best young rider at the Tour but I made some "youth mistakes".That year,I came in 10th.Now I have the idea that I can win.One day I'll win that race,yes,that's for sure.I feel it.This gives me confidence.I can win a Grand Tour and I can win the Tour de France,I think.
FS: To me,this year experience has given me new hopes for the future.Next year,Contador will be at the start of the Tour with a new team.Armstrong will have his own team as well.Our team,without any doubt,we'll be at least as strong as theirs.Things will be different.It won't be easier.But now we know what we can make.It's realistic to think that we both can be on the final podium in Paris.
Andy,what do you think of the rumours about your possible transfer to Armstrong's new team,RadioShack?
AS: I turned pro 5 years ago and so now I know how these things work.I know that,when I talk with Armstrong,then there will be rumours about that,and that the same happens every time I speak to Contador.When I talked to them,it was for fun,not for going to their new teams! (ndr;I don't know whether the last sentence I've translated is correct,really hope so!)
Is this one of the bad consequences of your reputation growing worldwide?
AS: Yes,it is...Let's talk about the Vuelta a Espana,that begins on Saturday...
FS: It's clear that we're not going to the start line thinking about winning this race.It's the first time we take part in it,so we're going to see how it is.We're racing the Vuelta because we want to find a good form and try to win a stage.The rider of our team that will try to get a good result in the GC is Jakob Fuglsang.I think he can arrive in the Top 5 in this race.As far as we're concerned,we'll see what we'll be able to do in this race.If we can do well in one or 2 stages,we'll do it.
AS: Just like I did in the criteriums,I think I'll ride with my pace.For me,it is easier to run a Grand Tour.I think that I won't be super in the first stages,but that I will get better after some days.Between all the races,the Vuelta is the best one you can choose if you want to get ready for the Worlds.
Are you going to finish the Vuelta or are you going to retire before o the last stage?
AS: It's the road that will help us with deciding this.If I'm well placedin the GC,I won't get retired.There is a week between the end of the Vuelta and the beginning of the Worlds.If I'm strong at the Vuelta,I'll be strong also during the Worlds.That's my point of view.
FS: That's also my point of view.But I'll be prudent during the Vuelta.We'll try to run a good Tour of Spain.But if one day I end up in the gruppetto,I won't make a tragedy out of it.That evening,I will drink a good beer and the following day I'll be back again on my saddle.I don't know if I'll retire.If I'm well placed in the final days of the race,I think I will continue racing.
AS: I see the Tour of Spain as a new adventure.After all,I'm happy to be on the road again.So far,we had 2 peaks of form.One during the Classics,in April,and we raced well there.The other peak was during the Tour.We ran well there too.I'd like to think that my good form could last for the whole season.This is the first time I run 2 Grand Tours in one year.That's a new challenge for me,so I'm excited.For me,it's better to race 1 big race than 2-3 small races.I'm not going to race the Vuelta to get a good result in the GC,but who knows what may happen? I'm going to race without any pressure.I'll decide whether to finish or not the race,listening to my feelings.I won't listen to the advice of the people who have ran the Vuelta before.
What does this mean?
AS: Everybody tell me that these 3 weeks are going to be very important for my beginning of the 2010 season. At this time of the season,I think they can just do good to me.After the Vuelta there are the Worlds,and after the Worlds,in October,there is the Tour of Lombardy.And there are also all the other pre-Lombardy races,like the Tour of Emilia that Frank has already won.All these races give me inspiration.I'm a runner that has troubles at the beginning of the season.So,if I can get some advantadge from the Vuelta,it will just do me good.This will make my experience-luggage even bigger.
Next Monday,a stage of the Vuelta will finish in Liege.Have you already thought about this?
AS: Yes I have,but I don't think that my form will allow me to shine during the first days of the Vuelta.I don't know how my body will react,but I believe I'll get better day after day.Actually,I don't know much about the stage ending in Liege.
The parcours looks a bit like the Amstel Gold Race's one,there is the Cauberg,and then the final kms are the ones of the Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
AS: Oh,then it's going to be too hard for me...
Wat do you think of the Mendrisio worlds?
FS: It is going to be as a very hard classic.And of course,we're alway good on that kind of terrain.With Kim Kirchen,Luxembourg has got 3 riders that have a chance of victory.In the next years the race will suit the sprinters rather than the climbers,so we have to take this chance. Anyway,we'll see how we'll feel at the end of the Vuelta.

SAXO BANK LINKS...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/voigt-to-return-at-tour-of-missouri :His Amazingness is coming back at the Tour of Missouri."It was hard to see the races go on without me, I tried to enjoy the time off the bike with my kids and with my parents,"said Voigt."I went to see the team in Hamburg to show them I am still here and my face is no longer swollen."Of oourse I'm very happy to read this news.

http://blog.tv2.dk/chris.anker.ol/entry332279.html :the younger of the Sorensen has updated his blog.He'll be in Missouri as well next month and he's writing his own book.Of course me hopes it won't be published just in Dane,because otherwise me couldn't understand anything of it.

http://www.saxobanktakingthelead.com/?p=1487 :that's an "interview gone wrong" with Lars Bak.It's funny,believe me.

(first pic by Daylife)

Links about the Schleck brothers and Jens Voigt:

After 3 days spent watching Le Tour live (I'll talk about that experience in one of the next posts),here I am again.Lots of things happened in the last few days.

On the penultimate climb of yesterday's stage,the Schleck brothers managed to leave all the other riders behind.All the other riders except 2 Astana guys: Alberto Contador (who else?) and Andreas Kloden.Armstrong was behind,just like Nibali,Wiggins,Sastre and all the other GC riders.

On the last climb,Contador spoke to Kloden and then he attacked.Armstrong got really angry at Alberto after knowing this,but me thinks there was a misunderstanding between the 2 Astana riders (and that Armstrong should be the last rider to talk in this kind of situation).

During the last 14 kms at the head of the race there were just Contador and the Schleck brothers and after the final descent the victory went to Frank.Andy got 3rd,but he raised his arms up to the sky in a very joyful way.As soon as they crossed the finish line,the two brothers also hugged each other in a very moving way.Here are some links about what happened in the last few days:

http://newsticker.sueddeutsche.de/list/id/679610 :As you know,Jens Voigt crashed very badly on the Petite Saint Bernard descent.It was very strange for me to hear about that,because I was on the climb that day and to think that Jens crashed 3-4 kms after having ridden right in front of me is something of really sad.Fortunately he "just" broke his cheekbone (it must be absolutely painful) and had a severe concussion."I can't end my career in this bad way.I want to ride the Tour next year",His Amazingness said this morning.Bjarne Riis said:"Of course Jens can ride the Tour in 2010,for me there aren't any problem.He's still strong and he works a lot for the younger riders".When Riis talked to him on the phone immediately after the crash,Big Jens asked him: "What's my next race? Tour of Denmark?".Unbelievable.Of course I wish Voigt a fast recover and I have no doubts about the fact that,between 1 year,he'll be riding again the Tour.

Talking instead about the Schleck brothers,here's an article from L'Equipe (http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2009/20090722_194944_schleck-on-verra-au-ventoux.html ),while on this other link there's an article from Eurosport (http://www.eurosport.fr/cyclisme/tour-de-france/2009/on-a-fait-le-spectacle_sto2009942/story.shtml ).To the Gazzetta dello Sport,Frank said:"I'm really proud of myself,of Andy and of the team.We took our responsabilities.This morning on the bus we received a very good news: Voigt just broke his cheekbone.Then we decided our strategy:we had nothing to lose,so we tried winning.Andy motivated me,I sacrificed myself for him and the work I've done has been repaid.Andy helped him,and I'll give him back what he gave to me in the next days.This vicory can't be compared to the one I got on the Alpe d'Huez.When I started the Tour,I didn't feel great,but Andy,my family,my girlfriend and my teammates helped me. This victory is for Voigt and Arvesen,they were forced to abandon the race but they're always in our mind".
If you want to see a little vid about Saxo Bank's celebration of yesterday's victory,here's a link: http://www.saxobanktakingthelead.com/?p=1141 .Let's hope that also on Sunday the guys will be able to celebrate a podium spot (or,it would be better,2 podium spots).
NB: There are some Saxo Bank's photos on TDW website,see "Rest Day:Saxo Bank".Some of them are really nice.
(Photos TDW,Panoramic and Equipe)