The Critérium International two-day stage race came to a conclusion on Sunday with Andy Schleck and Laurent Didier (RadioShack-Leopard) both part of strong breakaways.

“We could have hoped for more but we know it’s very difficult on a finish like this after six climbs,” sports director Kim Andersen explained on the team website. “It’s difficult to follow the strongest guy on this climb,” he said, referring to the summit finish on Col de l’Ospedale in a stage won by Chris Froome (Sky) from a solo attack. “I hoped for a little more on the road, but it’s always better to try and fail than just sit and wait. It was good to see Andy on the attack. I think this shows his training is going in the right direction.”

When asked if the ‘old’ Andy is now back, Andy Schleck replied, “I was never dead, just maybe asleep but it was a nice day today. We went out there today and had a plan to fight; we didn’t want to let Sky have an easy time of it. We had Laurent in the break and then I jumped to the group to try to make the race hard along with Jens [Voigt]. In the end it didn’t work but when you come to the finish and you have done something or tried to execute a plan, it’s a good day. I can see that the shape in my legs is coming back. I felt good. I still miss some power so I knew I couldn’t go with the best at the end, so instead I thought I would try to go from far out and make the race hard. I really enjoyed today even though the weather was so bad. I enjoyed riding my bike.”