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Schleck ready to defend Cancellara's lead

By Richard Tyler

published 6 July 2009

Luxembourger suffers "superficial injuries" in stage 2 crash

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Fränk Schleck (Saxo Bank)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

The Schleck brothers, Frank and Andy, await the start of stage two in Monaco.(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)

Saxo Bank's Fränk Schleck will start stage 3 of the Tour de France after suffering only minor injuries in a crash during stage 2 of the race. Schleck and Igor Antón (Euskaltel-Euskadi) crashed 70km into the 187km stage.

Fränk Schleck confident for overall classification

Saxo Bank team manager, Bjarne Riis, told L'Equipe that Schleck would be ready to support his teammate, Fabian Cancellara, in defending the yellow jersey on Monday's stage. "[He] fell but is not suffering and he has only superficial injuries to his hip, Everyone is in shape to continue to defend the yellow jersey tomorrow," said Riis.

Both Schleck and Igor Antón were able to return to the peloton and complete the stage, finishing in 90th and 68th place, respectively.

Riis also commented on his team's performance during the second stage. Despite high tempratures throughout the stage, Saxo Bank were able to maintain Cancellara's lead in the race.

"It was a hard and hot day, and obviously we made a huge effort, but it was no more difficult than what we expected, and we had everything under control," said Riis.

Cancellara, who won the Tour de France's opening individual time trial on Saturday, will go into stage 3 with an 18 second lead over Alberto Contador (Astana).