After a month of recovery and hard training following his crash at Ruta del Sol, Fränk Schleck is eager to return in the peloton.  He will do so in Corsica, where he will be at the start of the Classica Corsica (March 26), a new race leading the riders from Ajaccio to Bastia over fairly hilly terrain in the first part, but with an easier second half.

“I am really curious to see how it goes”, he said on he evening before he left for Corsica. “I have been training a lot and did quite a few motor pacing rides to gain force and speed after my injury. At first, it didn’t look so bad, but in the end I was off the bike for about 10 days and you pay the price for that period of inactivity when you get back on the bike.

"Well, of course, I didn’t stand still either. I followed a rigorous recovery program with ultra sound therapy, acupuncture, osteopathy and physiotherapy. I cannot say the injury is totally gone by now – I still have to tape my leg and I can still feel the injury - but the last few days of intensive training have proved that I can do longer efforts and that is of course important in view of starting the competition again.”

When asked for his ambitions at the races in Corsica, Schleck exercised some restraint: “You know, after a period without racing, you never know exactly where you stand, so I do not dare to set high ambitions. I’m just hoping to get back to my top level as soon as possible.”

Schleck will also participate in the Critérium International (March 28-29), a race he knows rather well. 

“Personally I think it’s a good combo to have the Classica Corsica on Thursday and the Critérium during the weekend. The ‘rest’ day between both races will be a good thing, because with three races in two days [Saturday there’s a normal road stage in the morning and a time trial in the afternoon­ – ed.] the Critérium International is always a tough race. Especially Saturday will be a long and exhausting day, but hey, I’m ready!”