The (still) young Luxembourger targets victory in the 2014 Tour de France, and will be backed by his brother, in the new Trek team

Schleck states that although Froome has been “outstanding” in the two last tours he should not yet feel all too comfortable.

“Chris Froome was strong but I do not believe that he was stronger than he was before. I believe the others were not just quite on the level. I believe Alberto was not on the level; I was clearly on the wrong level.”

“He was outstanding this year. He was really good, and he was really strong, but I do not think he was a lot stronger than we were two years ago, or three years ago, Alberto and me.”

Schleck reiterates his ambition for the 2014 Tour, adding that he fully expects a return to his best. Asked about Contador, his archenemy in recent tours, Schleck jests: “I hope I will be back next year. I do not care about the others.” While that may be true he also acknowledges that the presence of his brother is “really important”, and expects a closer race than the last two years.

Misfortunes of the Schlecks

The seasons of 2012 and 2013 were hard on the two brothers from Luxembourg. First Andy’s fractured pelvis, during the Criterium du Dauphine ’12, which prevented him from competing against Sir Bradley Wiggins. Secondly, the suspension of Frank, during the Tour ’12, after testing positive for the banned diuretic Xipamide, and a subsequent ban from the Luxembourg Anti-Doping Agency; reduced from two years to one, as the authorities ruled that he had not ingested the substance intentionally.

Temporarily brotherless and still recovering from his injuries, Schleck junior has struggled for a return to former glories and only glimpses has revealed that he may still be a rider to watch. Nonetheless he considers himself a contender for the Tour-throne of 2014, and states that also the Ardennes Classics will once again be targeted, both by him and his brother. Not a preposterous claim, considering that Andy won the Liege-Bastogne-Liege in 2009, and Frank the Amstel Gold Race in 2006. We should of course not forget that Andy finished as a runner-up in the Tours of 2009 and 2011, and was awarded victory in the 2010 race after Contador was stripped of the title.

A contestant in the mix

Andy’s ambitions aside, it will be refreshing to see more contestants challenging Froome’s dominance. Contador off-beat, old Evans and Sir Bradley behaving on wet surfaces like Bambi on the ice, did not produce compatible opposition. Only Quintana proved that Froome may yet be shaken, and not just stirred.

This is exactly why it will be extremely interesting to see what the Schlecks are capable of in 2014. We should not be fooled by two years of absence. Their Tour de France palmarès are amongst the best, and the higher the gradients the better they get.

Perhaps it is the Schlecks to ensure Froome a “chaingate” of his own in the 2014 Tour...