Franck Schleck is back on the bike after crashing out of the Tour de France

(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

Frank Schleck Back for Criterium

Frank Schleck, the older brother of Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck, confirmed Tuesday that he will return to competition at this week's Luxembourg Criterium. Schleck was forced out of the Tour de France after breaking his collarbone on the third stage, a fall which he believes also prevented his brother from taking the title from Alberto Contador.

Luxemburger Andy Schleck finished runner-up for the second straight year behind the Spaniard.

"It took me two to three days to accept," Frank Schleck told Le Quotidien. "I think if I'd been there I could have won the Tour. If the two of us had been there we could have proceeded like last year. We would each have taken turns to attack and Contador would have had to let either Andy or me go."

"We'll be back, to work on the time-trial, train, give everything, and I believe in our future," he insisted. "Andy and I can win the Tour."

Schleck added that in addition to Thursday's criterium he hopes to race in the Tour of Denmark and the Vuelta, in which his brother will also compete.

Two stages and two days in yellow helped Chavanel lead the Quick Step charge

(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

Lefevere's Tour Expectations Exceeded

Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere d himself more than satisfied with his team's performances at the Tour de France. With two stage wins, two days in the yellow jersey, and contention for the polka dot jersey, the team gained itself plenty of exposure despite losing sprinter Tom Boonen from the original roster due to injury.

Sylvain Chavanel was the man of the Tour's first week with the team's two stage wins and separate stints in yellow, aided by his friend and compatriot Jérôme Pineau who held the jersey of best climber for much of the Tour. Chavanel was also rewarded with the Tour's overall most aggressive rider prize, which pleased Lefevere considerably.

"Sylvain’s award is a prize for an excellent Tour," Lefevere said. "In the first days of the race Chavanel and Pineau gave performances that made them authentic leaders of the entire group. Our Tour has exceeded our own expectations."

Quick Step finished in seventh position in the team standings, spurred on by the attacking riding of Carlos Barredo and consistent finishes from young Belgian Kevin De Weert. 

"We knew De Weert was a good racer and he’s finally showing his worth," Lefevere added. "He’s made a lot of sacrifices to make it to this level, working a lot on his weight and on climbs. His results are his reward."

"The rest of the crew stepped up to the situation too," he noted. "Some breaks, like Barredo’s in Pau, could have been luckier. We are really satisfied of our team and we look forward for other good performances."

Team Sky has achieved results this season but road a forgettable Tour de France

(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

Doubts Over Brailsford's Double Program

United Kingdom Sport performance director Peter Keen is concerned his counterpart at British Cycling, Dave Brailsford, has taken a big risk trying to oversee a Tour de France team while still being in charge of the country's Olympic program. Keen, Brailsford's predecessor, said running a professional cycling team alongside an Olympic track squad is not something he would have attempted.

"The stakes are higher," Keen told the Guardian. "It's about people and their ability to work across another dimension. I think Dave would concede it's an experiment."

Three members of the Team Sky team managed by Brailsford that competed at the Tour de France were British: three-time Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins, Steve Cummings and Geraint Thomas. But asked if there was a worry Team Sky meant Brailsford would be devoting less time to a British track team that won eight golds at the Beijing Olympics, Keen replied, "yes, there is."

"But there's a counter-argument that the very talented and driven people there need new challenges to refresh them and the Tour provides that," he added. "But it is a big risk. Dave knows I wouldn't have done the same thing. I'm a more conservative planner than Dave. He's well aware of the risks and my views on it."

"Time will tell."

Armstrong Court Documents Subpoenaed

Federal investigators probing cheating in pro cycling have subpoenaed material from a 2004 case in which a US firm attempted to prove Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs. Jeffrey Tillotson, a lawyer for SCA Promotions Inc, said his company would send the documents to federal investigators in Los Angeles.

Armstrong has vehemently denied using performance-enhancing drugs and his lawyers routinely say Armstrong has undergone close to 300 drug tests in his career and never failed one.

Included in the documents are depositions from Armstrong's former wife, outspoken former American Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and former US teammates of Armstrong. The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday first reported the subpoena.

SCA was seeking to avoid paying the seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong a five million dollar performance bonus. The case ended with SCA shelling out 7.5 million dollars to Armstrong.

Two Extend with Skil-Shimano

The management of the Skil-Shimano professional cycling team renewed the contracts of both Mitchell Docker and Koen de Kort. The 23-year-old Australian Mitchell Docker is currently in his second season at Skil-Shimano, after excelling frequently in international U23 races. He confirmed his considerable talent in the Delta Tour and the Route du Sud, among others, by winning a stage in each.

Dutchman Koen de Kort, 27, has continued to mature and put in notable performances in the spring classics, including Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Dwars door Vlaanderen and Ghent-Wevelgem. 

Lobato Banned

Spanish rider Ruben Lobato has been banned for two years for doping by his national federation based on irregular readings on his biological passport, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said on Tuesday.

Lobato was one of the first five riders to be charged with doping based on biological passport readings in June 2009 along with compatriots Igor Astarloa and Riccardo Serrano, and Italians Pietro Caucchioli and Francesco de Bonis.