American Lance Armstrong, lack of miles when it looms the Tour de France (3-25 July), gives new impetus to its preparation in line Wednesday to Sunday in the Tour of Luxembourg.
The winding roads and often hilly Grand Duchy should allow the seven-time winner of the Tour to improve a condition undermined in recent weeks, first by a virus that had forced in March to April to the ignore the conventional spring, followed by a fall that had cut short his tour of California last month. Armstrong will assess the level of form over a few riders who aim to shine as he did in July on the roads of France.
Luxembourg's Frank Schleck, winner of last year, will strive to defend his title in front of his audience. Other favorites include another Luxembourg Kim Kirchen, German Jens Voigt and Andreas Kloden (2nd in 2009) or Russia's Sergei Ivanov. Andy Schleck, it is not at first. The younger brother of Frank participated in the Tour of California (16-23 May) and will resume competition at the Tour of Switzerland (June 12 to 20).
Steps:
Wednesday - 2.6 km prologue in Luxembourg City (evening)
Thursday - 1st stage: Luxembourg - Hespérange (179.7 km)
Friday - 2nd stage: Schifflange - Differdange (202.7 km)
Saturday - 3rd stage: Eschweiler - Diekirch (191.5 kilometers)
Sunday - Step 4: Mersch - Luxembourg (149.5 km)
The teams (and committed primary):
Saxo Bank (Frank Schleck / LUX, Jens Voigt / GER) RadioShack (Lance Armstrong / USA, Andreas Kloden / GER) Euskaltel, Katusha (Kim Kirschen / LUX Sergei Ivanov / RUS) French Games (Sandy Casar / FRA), Landbouwkrediet, CT Differdange, Sky (Kurt Arvesen / NOR) Vacansoleil (Brice Feillu / FRA, Johnny Hoogerland / NED), Skil, Vorarlberg, Andalucia, ISD, Bouygues Telecom, Cofidis (Jens Keukeleire / BEL) Saur-Sojasun (Jimmy Casper / FRA).
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