Andy Schleck has confirmed that he will not participate in this year’s Tour de France. The news first emerged earlier today (June 13) on a Luxembourg news website, but has now been confirmed by the RadioShack-Nissan star. Taking a sharp right in heavy rain 12km into the Time Trial stage at last week’s Critérium du Dauphiné he crashed heavily but initially put a brave face on things, commenting, ‘I’ve abandoned too many times this year already’. Eventually though he was forced to retire from competition and an MRI scan earlier this week revealed fractures vertebra, ending his TdF ambitions. Truly sad news for Schleck, but undeniably a boost to both Bradley Wiggins – who went on to win the Critérium du Dauphiné in spectacular fashion – and defending Tour Champion Cadel Evans.
