Saxo Bank's team manager, Bjarne Riis critical of Andy Schleck following Vuelta party night
Bjarne Riis praised Alberto Contador's seriousness and readiness to win in an interview with Spain's newspaper El País yesterday. Tour de France winner Contador will join Saxo Bank at the start of next year and replace Andy Schleck, who Riis criticised.
"Contador always gives the maximum possible to in all the races he takes part in," said Riis. "While Andy, as we have seen here in the Vuelta, has a completely different mentality."
Andy Schleck and team-mate Stuart O'Grady left the Vuelta a España early after a late night drinking. Riis discovered the two were out until 1:00, some say even 5:00, on the night before the 10th stage to Vilanova i la Geltrú and sent them home. He had brought them to the three-week race to support Schleck's brother Fränk win the race's overall classification.
"We cannot insist that all riders are alike, have the same lifestyle and we must respect them for who they are," said Riis. "Andy is not Contador and vice versa. They are two different persons. Albert is a bit more serious, Andy a bit younger and wilder. He has a lot to learn, and I think that what has happened here in the Vuelta has taught him a lot."
Schleck returned home to Luxembourg and is due to race again October 9 at the Giro dell'Emilia in Italy. The Giro di Lombardia October 16 will be his last race of the season and his last race with Riis after six years. Next year, he and his brother will race for a new Luxembourg-based team.
Riis signed Contador to replace his two aces. Contador won the Tour de France three times and in the last two years finished ahead of second place Andy Schleck (by 4'11" in 2009 and by 39" in 2010).
"I cannot yet say whether it will be easier to work with Alberto, but it is obvious that he has different traits. I need to get to know him better so that I can figure out how I can help him as much as possible. We will tackle this in the coming months."
Bjarne Riis explained that he began negotiations with Contador's brother and manager Fran even before the Tour de France in July. On August 3, he announced he signed him for two years, 2011 and 2012.
"We had a conversation before and met the Tour to discuss the details," explained Riis.
Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador closely fought for the overall lead at the Tour de France. There next best rival was Russian Denis Menchov at 2'01" back from Contador.
"It was strange, but both Andy and Fränk knew that I negotiated with Contador. I wanted clean lines and I had absolutely no problems as sports director to ensure Andy's support. I gave 100 per cent of myself to my riders, I was there all the time for Andy and he knows that."
Riis speaks quietly, but even more so in Spain. With his win at the 1996 Tour de France he was responsible for ending the Miguel Indurain's winning streak, 1991 to 1995.
"I have always felt welcome in Spain, but of course I know that I was not popular and that I gave Indurain his first defeat after five victories in a row. They threw eggs, tomatoes and everything else at me when we arrived in Pamplona [for the 1996 Tour de France]. It was really quite natural given Indurain's a legend in Spain. And he showed his greatness by telling the crowd, 'I have to respect Riis.' I will never forget that."