Schlecks to quit Saxo Bank

Schleck brothers: To form new team

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Andy and Frank Schleck have announced they will leave Saxo Bank at the end of the season in order to form a new team.

It is thought that the two brothers, who are both rated amongst the best climbers in the world, will ride for an outfit based in their native country of Luxembourg.

Saxo Bank are set to withdraw their sponsorship at the end of the year, but team boss Bjarne Riis recently revealed that his outfit will continue under the guise of SunGard.

However the Schlecks will no longer be part of his plans, as they have now confirmed they will not be riding for Riis in 2011.

Official

"It's official that we will not be riding with Bjarne next season," Andy is quoted as saying by cyclingnews.

The brothers' departure could leave the way open for Tour de France winner Alberto Contador to join forces with Riis next year, as has been widely reported in the European press.

Andy added: "We're not going to stay. We're going to leave at the end of the year. All the doubts and news about us racing in the same team as Contador are now finished. We're not going to continue."

The Schlecks have both ridden their entire professional careers under the guidance of Riis, with Frank joining the Dane's team in 2003 before Andy signed two years later.

They have since become regular contenders in Grand Tours and the Ardennes classics, with Andy recently securing his second consecutive runner-up finish in the Tour de France.