Luxemburger Andy Schlek remains realistic about his chances for a Tour de France victory in 2010. The young Saxo Bank rider told De Telegraaf that he expects to be equally as strong as Alberto Contador within two or three years.
"There is definitely a chance to beat Alberto. In two, three years I will be able to be at his level. The most important thing at the moment is that I lose the battle in the time trials. I need to work on that. In that case Alberto is an example. He is so incredibly professional," he explained.
And while Schleck doesn't think staying with Astana will be a problem for Contador, he will come in to next year's Grand Boucle looking for a win.
"This upcoming Tour will be fight of man versus man," explained Schlek. "The strongest rider will celebrate. There is no team time trial and the mountain stages look controllable. The strength of the team in 2010 will not be the deciding factor."
Both Schleck and Contador will have their hands full as seven-time winner Lance Armstrong goes for an eighth Tour win, and a re-energized Cadel Evans will see the rainbow jersey fight for yellow with a motivated BMC team.
The riders will kickoff next year's Tour de France on July 3rd in Rotterdam and it will finish 22 days later in Paris.