Frank Schleck

The ex-pro and former yellow jersey wearer tells Cyclist about the unique pleasures and pains of riding at the Tour de France
 

- Mark Bailey

Cyclist: What is your earliest memory of cycling?

Fränk Schleck: As a kid I used to go with my family to Alpe d’Huez to see the Tour passing by. My dad [Johny] was a cycling fan and a former professional who had cycled Alpe d’Huez during his career [which included eight Tours de France]. We went there on family vacations to see and feel the ambience of the Tour. I remember standing at the side of the road and being amazed at the emotion and the passion for cycling that people have, especially on all the corners and switchbacks. It was something great.

Cyc: What was the single best day of your cycling career?

FS: It is strange to think that after going to Alpe d’Huez as a child, many years later I would be cycling up it myself going for the win. When I won on the Alpe [on Stage 15 of the 2006 Tour] it was something enormous for me. It was a really, really great day and having the number 18 as my corner, with my name written on the sign, is very special for me. Perhaps it is now even more special than before. When you are still racing you don’t see it the same way. But when you retire and take two steps back you realise it is a really, really big win.

Cyc: Are there any other days that stand out?

FS: Yeah, the other Tour stage I won, on Le Grand-Bornand [Stage 17, 2009] where we were able to drop Andreas Klöden and Lance Armstrong. That was really special. There were three of us finishing together up front – myself, Alberto Contador and my brother Andy so that was a pretty damn good day.

Cyc: What kind of atmosphere is there between riders on a big Tour climb?