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VALENCE, France (Reuters) - With only one more week of racing left, the Schleck brothers have yet to figure out whether it will be Andy or Frank that will be lead their Tour de France challenge.
Frank is second in the overall standings, 1:49 behind France's Thomas Voeckler while Andy, runner-up to Alberto Contador in the last two editions of the Tour, is fourth and 26 seconds further back.
Both still have a chance to claim their first grand Tour, but one of them will have to make a sacrifice to help his brother and Leopard Trek team mate win.
"We know that we cannot both win the Tour, at least not in the same year," Andy told a news conference on Monday.
"I only see one of us being on the podium, but in the yellow jersey."
Frank has had the best season, winning the Criterium International and finishing second in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic, but his best results in three-week races were fifth places in the 2008 and 2009 Tours and in the 2010 Vuelta.
"Andy and I understand each other very well," said Frank, who admitted he struggled in the last two kilometres of Saturday's mountain stage to the Plateau de Beille.
"If it turns out that one day we have to sacrifice (our chances) for the other, we will do it. We're not going to fight against each other."
However, Andy attacked in the ascent to the Plateau de Beille in order to drop Contador, Australian Cadel Evans and Italian Ivan Basso, only for the Luxembourg rider to stop and look behind to check on his older brother -- arguably damaging his own chances.
Sacrifices will be made though, Andy promised.
"We'd prefer to have one of us as the champion and the other in 20th place," he said.
"Obviously we talk about tactics, and perfect scenarios, but sometimes it is up to one of us to decide on the day."
The brothers will have to make a choice quickly as there are only two potentially decisive mountain stages on Thursday and Friday left.
On Saturday, both are expected to lose significant ground in the final time trial, where Evans, Basso and Contador fare much better.
(Editing by Mark Meadows)
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Frank is second in the overall standings, 1:49 behind France's Thomas Voeckler while Andy, runner-up to Alberto Contador in the last two editions of the Tour, is fourth and 26 seconds further back.
Both still have a chance to claim their first grand Tour, but one of them will have to make a sacrifice to help his brother and Leopard Trek team mate win.
"We know that we cannot both win the Tour, at least not in the same year," Andy told a news conference on Monday.
"I only see one of us being on the podium, but in the yellow jersey."
Frank has had the best season, winning the Criterium International and finishing second in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege classic, but his best results in three-week races were fifth places in the 2008 and 2009 Tours and in the 2010 Vuelta.
"Andy and I understand each other very well," said Frank, who admitted he struggled in the last two kilometres of Saturday's mountain stage to the Plateau de Beille.
"If it turns out that one day we have to sacrifice (our chances) for the other, we will do it. We're not going to fight against each other."
However, Andy attacked in the ascent to the Plateau de Beille in order to drop Contador, Australian Cadel Evans and Italian Ivan Basso, only for the Luxembourg rider to stop and look behind to check on his older brother -- arguably damaging his own chances.
Sacrifices will be made though, Andy promised.
"We'd prefer to have one of us as the champion and the other in 20th place," he said.
"Obviously we talk about tactics, and perfect scenarios, but sometimes it is up to one of us to decide on the day."
The brothers will have to make a choice quickly as there are only two potentially decisive mountain stages on Thursday and Friday left.
On Saturday, both are expected to lose significant ground in the final time trial, where Evans, Basso and Contador fare much better.
(Editing by Mark Meadows)
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