Former Tour de France winner Andy Schleck on Thursday confirmed during a press conference that he put an end to his career.
The 29-year-old Luxembourger Trek last summer came big crash during the third stage of the Tour de France. The climber was inter alia tears in the ligaments on.
“It’s not a decision I have taken, but my knee,” an emotional Schleck was referring to his physical problems. “I always come back from adversity, but now that is impossible.”
“The pain came over and over again. This cycle is over for me, at least in a professional sense. I want my team Trek thank that they always remain. “behind me <- Block! | Slideshow start ->
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Schleck read a statement from a few minutes, in which he other former colleagues as Jens Voigt thanked.
“I do not want to disappear from cycling, I love this sport,” stressed the Luxemburger. “I have some ideas about what I want to do.”
Schleck was named winner of the 2010 Tour de France after Alberto Contador tested positive for clenbuterol.
Ceremony
It was only in February 2012 Schleck was officially declared the winner, and in May of that year he was awarded the yellow jersey during a ceremony.
A month later, Schleck had a big crash during the Critérium du Dauphiné and he had the Tour de France to shoot. Then, the Luxemburger never reached more his old level.
Schleck finished in 2009 and in 2011 as second in the Tour. In 2009 he was amply acknowledge the superiority of Contador when he is only the second to last day in the yellow jersey two years later ridden by Cadel Evans.
The five-year younger brother Frank Schleck fourth in 2007 by finishing in the Tour of Italy, behind Danilo Di Luca. his breakthrough as a second A year later he had as a helper a big part in the Tour victory of his teammate Carlos Sastre.
Liege-Bastogne-Liege
Schleck was not only successful in the Tour de France. In 2009 he wrote the classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege in his name.
In his ten years as a professional headed Schleck for the teams CSC, Leopard-Trek, RadioShack Nissan Trek and Trek.
Last month, Evans had already announced that he is ending his career in early 2015. Therefore there next season, only four (former) Tour winners active in the peloton:. Contador, Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali
Highlights
Schleck mentioned a few highlights. “It was, of course, unique to working with my brother Frank to end in 2011. On the podium in the Tour”
“And of course my final victory also a highlight, even though I got that I afterwards. I earned the Tour. “
Frank Schleck, are not present at the press conference, thanked his brother via Twitter for” beautiful memories “. “As the Tour Podium in 2011.”
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