Andy Schleck of Trek Factory Racing is confident that the worst is behind him and he can push on in 2014.

“I want to return to the Tour [de France], and arrive on the Champs-Élysées in yellow,” Schleck told L’Equipe in an interview. “I ended the Tour feeling fresh, so I am optimistic about the coming season. I am sure I can get back to my level.”

Schleck, who will turn 29 next season, has been dogged by poor results since crashing out of the 2012 Critérium du Dauphiné. After struggling with pain and discomfort that came with his fractured sacrum, Schleck had to do everything he could just to finish races, much less win them. 

“Few people understood how bad my crash really was,” he said to L’Equipe. “I was crying in pain on my bike. After all that, with the frustration of not being able to race the 2012 Tour, I tried to come back too soon at the Tour of Beijing, and I had some ups and downs. Even if my career ended tomorrow, I would be proud of my results.”

He looked like he was returning to form in the final stages of this years Tour, where he rode to a seasons best 20th overall. 

He insists he is free from injury and is back to his best: 

“I will race five or six more Tours, and I am going to be a father in March. Before, I just raced for myself, now I have other motivation,” he said. “I want to show everyone who has criticized me that I have not disappeared.”

Trek are hoping Andy and his brother Frank can offer solid GC options to the team in 2014.