As expected, Saxo Bank took to the hills today to hopefully deliver their GC hopeful Andy Schleck into a podium spot and ride they did. Frank Schleck paced his younger brother, Andy Schleck, up the final climbs shedding all other contenders. With only Alberto Contador able to hang with the pace, the elder Schleck took the stage win and with that put the two Schleck brothers in second and third respectively.

Stage 17 Results
1 Fränk Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 4:53:54
2 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
3 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
4 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas 0:02:18
5 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
6 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0:02:27
7 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin - Slipstream - 0:03:07
8 Christophe Moreau (Fra) Agritubel - 0:04:09
9 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin - Slipstream
10 Rémi Pauriol (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit en Ligne - 0:06:10

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A bad crash during training yesterday meant a trip to the hospital and now a shorter break from racing for Team Saxo Bank’s Fränk Schleck.

The rider from Luxembourg skidded with his front wheels during a training ride and crashed in a curve going downhill. Seven stitches on the chin and a heavy contusion on his left wrist was the immediate damage, but further examinations were needed yesterday afternoon at a clinic in Luxembourg to rule out any fractures.

“I had to have further examinations yesterday to be sure that nothing was broken. My chin is stitched up and my wrist has a big swelling, but I guess I should consider myself lucky that nothing is broken. This doesn’t come at a convenient time, since I’m in really good shape after Paris-Nice and I hope to get back into racing as soon as possible”, says Fränk Schleck who is now set to race the next time in Criterium International at the end of March.

“We need Fränk to be back racing as soon as possible and since nothing is broken we had the possibility to send him to do the cobblestone races in Belgium next week, but since these races are demanding on the whole body, it’s better to wait and then have him come back 100% fit in the race in France where we should have a good possibility to make some results with him and Jens Voigt”, says sports director Kim Andersen.

Photo courtesy of Ken Conley

Stage 8 top-five finishers:
1) Fränk Schleck (LUX), Team Saxo Bank
2) Vincenzo Nibali (ITA), Liquigas
3) George Hincapie (USA), Team Columbia-High Road
4) Rory Sutherland (AUS), Ouch Presented by Maxxis
5) Grischa Niermann (GER), Rabobank

Final General Classification:
1) Levi Leipheimer (USA), Astana
2) David Zabriskie (USA), Garmin-Slipstream
3) Michael Rogers (AUS), Team Columbia-High Road
4) Jens Voigt (GER), Team Saxo Bank
5) Thomas Lövkvist (SWE), Team Columbia-High Road

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Based on the evidence and further investigations made by the Luxembourg Anti-Doping Agency it was decided not to open a disciplinary case against Fränk Schleck and the agency has decided to close the case.

“First of all, I’m happy that I had to chance to prove that I was innocent. I have a lot of respect for the work the Luxembourg Anti-Doping Agency had to do and I have been totally available for all their inquiries. Throughout the whole process I have been confident that I would come out good because I have a completely clear conscience. Now, I can focus on the new season and I’m looking forward to coming back strong”, says Fränk Schleck.

“We are certainly very happy that the explanation that Fränk Schleck has given us, the press and our sponsors was now confirmed by the Luxembourg Anti-Doping Agency as true. It was vital to us that Fränk had not been involved in the wrongdoings concerning the case in Spain and we feel that the confidence that we have in Fränk has been rewarded. I’m sure that this has been quite a stressful time for him, but at the same time it will give him strength and motivation to be even better next season”, says Bjarne Riis and states that the team will continue to do its utmost in the fight against doping.

“All of our riders are ambassadors of a clean sport and with our groundbreaking, independent anti-doping program we can rule out any wrongdoing going on unnoticed and we take sincere comfort in that. The team has gone to great lengths in the fight against doping and we will continue to make our mark here along with our efforts on the roads”, adds Riis.

Team CSC Saxo Bank’s Fränk Schleck fulfilled a childhood dream of his, when he took the Yellow Jersey on Sunday after the 15th stage of Tour de France!

The Danish team was aggressive from the word go and all team members were used to attack during the last 40 of the 183-kilometer route from Digne-les-Bains to Prato Nevoso.

At the front it quickly became clear to all that a break of four would be impossible to catch and Simon Gerrans (Crédit Agricole) took the victory with four minutes down to the favorite’s group. But behind the break Team CSC Saxo Bank was stepping up the game somewhat.

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Credit Agricole ride Simon Gerrans took the stage win today in the first stage in the Italian Alps. Gerrans was part of a four man breakaway that was able to attack the main pack early and stayed away. Gerrans then broke away once again and won the stage ahead of second place Egoi Martinez by 2 seconds, followed by Danny Pate who finished 10 seconds behind.

Frank Schleck of Team CSC - Saxo Bank takes over the Maillot Jaune after the team attacked Cadel Evans on the final climb of the day. Younger brother Andy Schleck, was able to surge ahead forcing Cadel Evans to work harder, eventually allowing Frank Schleck to out pace the Australian. “For me to take the yellow jersey, it’s a childhood dream,” Schleck said.

Stage 15 Results
1 Simon Gerrans (Aus) Crédit Agricole - 4.50.44
2 Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0.03
3 Danny Pate (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 - 0.10
4 José Luis Arrieta Lujambio (Spa) AG2R La Mondiale - 0.55
5 Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner - 4.03
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC - Saxo Bank
7 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne - 4.12
8 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 4.23
9 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank - 4.41
10 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 - 4.43

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