Kirchen, Schlecks up for Male Athlete of the Year

The Luxemburger sports press representatives nominated Kim Kirchen for Luxembourg Male Athlete of the Year this weekend. He won the title in 2007 and faces competition from, among others, Fränk and Andy Schleck. The three cyclists dominated the election the last few years.

Kirchen of Team Columbia won in 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007. Fränk Schleck won the title in 2006, and his younger brother Andy, both of Team CSC Saxo Bank, was second in 2007.

The press group will announce the winner December 11, as well as the best female athlete and best team.

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Kirchen, 30, won five times this year, including the Flèche Wallonne. He wore the leader's yellow jersey for four days in the Tour de France.

Fränk Schleck, 28, won two times and wore the yellow jersey in the Tour de France for two days. He finished sixth overall in the Tour. The German press linked him to Operación Puerto's Doctor Eufemiano Fuentes at the end of September. His team placed him on inactive status and he confirmed that he wired nearly €7,000 to Fuentes' bank account for training plans. He is under investigation by the Luxemburger Anti-Doping Agency.

Andy Schleck helped his team win the Tour de France and won the young rider's maillot blanc for himself. He also was part of winning time trial team at the Tour of Poland. (SW)