Andy Schleck has spent the last few weeks perfecting his time-trial routine in the hope tha next year, when the final stages of the Tour de France finally start to bite, he will be confident in his abilities o ride out the final time-trial, and hopefully race into aris in the Yellow Jersey.

Having set a new record for finishing in the runners-up spot for three years in a row, Schlck knows that he has to improve his game if he wants to finally get over the line first on the Champs Elysee.

“I have already started working on my time-trial” said Schleck. “You know, before the time trial in Grenoble, I really thought I’d win the Tour because I was almost a minute ahead. But Cadel Evans was stronger, it must simply be said.

“I know I’m lacking in the race against the clock. I have to gain power and strength and I have already started working on it. Not to mention my position on the bike that is not necessarily the best. The aim is to do weight training and spend time in the wind tunnel. I cannot lose the Tour again because of a time trial.”