Saxo Bank leader Fränk Schleck exited this year's Tour de France with a broken collarbone when the race ventured onto cobblestone sectors used in Paris-Roubaix during stage three. A bad crash saw the Luxembourg champion come down hard onto the pavé and taken away to the hospital in an ambulance.
He had successful surgery last week where doctors installed a metal plate with eight screws to stabilize the fracture in order to help it to heal more quickly.
"I think I need another ten days. I am still waiting for the day where I feel no pain," Schleck told Wort.lu, adding that since Monday he has noticed some improvement.
"I hope that I get back on the exercise bike in ten days," he said.
Schleck posted a photo of the injury on Twitter yesterday [photo right] showing the stitches from his surgery.
The older of the two brothers is now forced to sit at home and watch the Tour de France on television and, following yesterday's stage, he sees just two riders that could secure the overall victory in Paris.
"I haven't seen a Tour de France like this year's race for a long time. I was surprised when I saw that all of the big favorites had lost time. For me there are clearly only two riders left who remain with a chance for overall success: Andy and [Alberto] Contador," he said.
Having to exit the Tour early has been a big disappointment, but at the same time he's happy for his brother's success.
"I won the Tour de Suisse and was in good shape. Then I had to abandon the Tour de France," he added admitting watching his brother gives him mixed emotions. "I am satisfied and happy for Andy, but I also have a sense of frustration because I could be in the Tour de France [and riding well].
While Schleck is positive that Andy will end up on the podium for the second consecutive year, he's also looking forward to racing together again. The brothers are now looking at contesting the final Grand Tour of the year, the Vuelta a España together.
"Andy told me yesterday [Monday] that he has signed up for the Vuelta a España. We both intend to contest the race," he said, admitting that he will likely be riding for Andy because of his injury.