Schleck's confirm departure from Saxo Bank
It was one of the worst-kept secrets in cycling, if in fact it was a secret. On Thursday, it was confirmed.
Andy Schleck, runner-up at the last two Tours de France, and his brother Frank announced on Friday they are leaving Team Saxo Bank after this season. Saxo Bank will not sponsor the team next year, and it was only recently that team manager Bjarne Riis found a new backer for the 2011 squad.
But the Schleck's confirmed to cyclingnews.com Thursday night they will not ride in the familiar blue and white jerseys.
"It's official that we will not be riding with Bjarne next season," Andy Schleck wrote in a text message to the Web site. "We're not going to stay. We're going to leave at the end of the year. All the doubts and news about us racing in the same team as Contador are now finished. We're not going to continue."
The brothers have not revealed where they will ride, although there is a speculation they will join former Saxo Bank director Kim Andersen on a brand new team.
"It's been a fantastic five years for me and eight for Fränk and I learnt a lot in that time," Andy Schleck said after Thursday's Luxembourg Criterium. "I'll still stay friends with Bjarne but this is the end of the road for us as a team."
The announcement comes a few days after three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador said he will leave Team Astana after this season.
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