Schleck relying on team effort

TOUR de France leader Frank Schleck has vowed to continue to use the strength and experience of his CSC team to tighten his grip on the yellow jersey.

Despite wrestling the maillot jaune from Cadel Evans’ grasp in the 15th stage on Sunday, Schleck has only a narrow lead going into the gruelling final week of the Tour, which includes several mountain stages in the Alps and a 53km time trial on Saturday.

Not renowned for his prowess against the clock, the 28-year-old is aware he will have to extend his advantage of seven seconds over second-placed Bernard Kohl and nine seconds over Evans before the stage from Cerilly to St Armand-Montrond.

He said: “I must be realistic. I am not a time-trial specialist, even with the wings the yellow jersey has given me! The team has been very aggressive so far and that has helped. With a team as good as this I can continue to use an offensive gameplan.”

Teamwork was the key to Schleck’s success on Sunday, with his brother Andy and team-mate Carlos Sastre assisting his quest to lead the race.

He added: “The final climb was very difficult and I must thank my brother Andy who helped me. Without him I would not have had a successful day and moved up in the classification.”

The champion of Luxembourg had further praise for his younger sibling, 23, who increased the pace during the final climb to leave Evans isolated from his team.

“Carlos attacked at Prato Nevoso, then Andy raised the pace too,” recalled Schleck.

“The yellow jersey is really for the team. I had the finest moment of my career when I won it. What made it even more beautiful was that I shared it with Andy and Carlos.”

But he may not be able to rely on the team ethic much longer, as Spaniard Sastre could emerge this week as a credible threat to his yellow jersey.

The former ONCE rider is sixth overall, just 49 seconds off the pace, and CSC team director Bjarne Riis is adamant that neither competitor will receive preferential treatment.

“Nothing has changed from the Pyrenees. We have two contenders — Frank and Carlos who are both doing well in the general classification. They are both aiming for the podium in Paris,” he said.

Schleck, along with six members of CSC received a surprise drug test after Sunday’s stage, but none of the results were positive, leaving the team to concentrate on the race.