Andy Schleck angry about sacking of brother

ISTANBUL - Radikal

Former Tour de France champion Andy Schleck has hit out at his RadioShack team after their decision to sack his older brother Frank, days before a ban for using a banned diuretic ends.

RadioShack’s management company Leopard announced on July 4 that Frank Schleck, who was banned for a year following a positive test for a banned diuretic at last year’s race, would not ride for them again this season.

The news came as a blow to the team’s riders racing the 100th edition of the Tour, including his brother Andy.

 “I can’t really understand the decision. I’m sad and disappointed but I don’t know what to say. Maybe they will use it against me and fire me as well,” said Schleck.

A team statement on Thursday said: “Leopard and its partners have assessed the situation in view of a possible renewal of the collaboration with Frank Schleck. “Having finalized this assessment in a broad and objective way, Leopard has decided to not renew the collaboration between Frank Schleck and the RadioShack cycling team.”

Team manager Luca Guercilena said in Montpellier prior to Friday’s seventh stage to Albi: “He is and always will be his brother, but we have had to apply internal rules.” Andy Schleck said he believed the decision was not related to Frank Schleck’s suspension. “It wasn’t even anything to do with doping, even the UCI (International Cycling Union) agreed on that,” he added.