Schleck Is Back but Fears Over Cyclist's Fitness Raised

With his eyes fixed on Tour de France, 27-year-old cyclist Andy Schleck suffered minor setbacks in Tour Down Under and Tour of Beijing. Read on to find out more about his progress.

Queenslan, Australia (prHWY.com) January 30, 2013 - Andy Schleck, the 27-year-old cyclist from Luxembourg, struggled in the Adelaide heat while participating in the 15th Santos Tour Down Under held in South Australia.

Schleck abruptly returned to his hotel after experiencing a mechanical problem during the tour's final stage this Sunday surrendering the title to Dutch cyclist, Tom-Jelte Slagter, also known as the Flying Dutchman.

Still recovering from a fractured coccyx which he sustained from the Criterium du Dauphine on June 2012, he remains confident to be in top shape for the 100th edition of the June 29 Corsica Tour de France (TDF).

Last February, however, he stated that his career did not hinge on bagging the championship in the tour.

This lack of motivation showed during his previous race, the Tour of Beijing back in October, where he placed last overall after pulling out of the event.

This did nothing to his status as a former Tour de France champion-in-waiting.

His decision to quit while on the early fifth stage came after a week, when he dropped a few spots, fuelling more doubts about his ability to win the prestigious TDF under his own steam, rather than inheriting the title which he did back in 2010.

Schleck was awarded the tour title in 2010 after Spaniard Alberto Contador was stripped of his crown for doping. He has worn the label of "Tour Winner in Waiting" since. He also placed second in 2011 after Australia's Cadel Evans, in 2009 after Contador, and in 2007 after Danilo Di Luca for the Giro d'Italia race.

A terrific climber, his potential was shown in the 2011 TDF where the finish was in the mountain top on Cold du Galibier.

Forging ahead to the Tour, he highlighted potential rivals including the infamous British cycling team, Sky, which comprises Chris Froome, the defending champion Bradley Wiggins, and Saxo Bank's Richie Porte, his former teammate.

The 2010 Tour de France winner commented on his former teammate Porte, "I see him as a really big guy this year. Last year he improved a lot. I knew him when he was with us and he can go really well. I believe he can climb as well as Froome and Bradley. Maybe he's the guy they don't announce."

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