The Schlecks are back and hoping to be better than ever in 2014 after two of the most disappointing seasons in their careers. Frank was suspended for doping and Andy failed to recapture his glorious form that has seen him win the Tour de France and Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

Andy will target the Tour de France once again. He will be hoping for a better performance than in 2013, where he finished 20th.

"It should be better in 2014, of course,” he said. "I am very aware of this. I need to hone my time trial skills and my climbing too. I want to keep getting better. Regarding the time trial, I’m working a lot more kilometers on the time trial bike. So I hope I improve in this discipline.”

Frank and Andy have both signed for the Trek Factory Racing team and will hope to reenact the 2011 Tour, where they both finished on the podium.

“The advantage is that I’ll have Fränk on my side in the Tour,” Andy said. “Again it gives me a very good feeling. It's really too early to look ahead to the Tour de France, who is and who is not going to be good. There is still half a year to go, there is still a lot that can happen, but the group of favorites for the final victory will be limited again. I hope I can certainly be part of it.”

Frank was judged to have not deliberately taken Xipamide and was only given a one-year ban. 

"I've been out for a while due to 'circumstances,' but now I'm really ready to serve,” Fränk said. “I am eager to race again. I still love to ride my bike. This is and remains my passion. It is simply in our genes.

“I continued to train and take care of myself well,” he added. “I watched what I did and what I ate. My motivation is still great. I will begin my season no differently to usual. I've been around long enough as a rider to know what is good or bad for me. Of course we get guidelines from the team and a training plan to follow. My first focus is the races in the Ardennes.”

Frank will begin his season earliest the Tour Down Under and it will be the earliest he has ever started his season.