Andy Schleck is preparing to ride the stage of his life when the Tour de France heads into the mountains for the final time.
Race up Col du Tourmalet set to decide Yellow Jersey
Andy Schleck is preparing to ride the stage of his life when the Tour de France heads into the mountains for the final time on Thursday.
The Team Saxo Bank leader is eight seconds behind Alberto Contador in the overall standings, as the duo prepare to race to the summit of the Col du Tourmalet in stage 17.
The Spanish two-time former champion claimed the race lead by taking advantage of his rival's mechanical problem on Monday's 15th stage to Bagneres-de-Luchon, overcoming a 31-second deficit by attacking at the moment Schleck's chain slipped on the hors categorie (beyond category) Port de Bales.
A highly-eventful Tour is poised for a dramatic conclusion - one Schleck hopes will end in his favour.
"I'm ready for tomorrow and I'm pretty sure I will have a good race," said Schleck ahead of the 174-kilometre stage from Pau which finishes on the summit of the Col du Tourmalet. "It is definitely the highlight of this year's Tour."
When asked what he would do, should Contador's chain slip, Schleck remained diplomatic.
Team Saxo Bank owner Bjarne Riis, the winner of the 1996 Tour, quipped "he wouldn't see it" - something Contador claimed after Monday's stage.
However, Schleck said: "It won't happen. The Tour won't be decided because of a chain slipping or not.
"I still haven't spoken my last word in this Tour. That day I was angry, now I'm not angry - I'm just really motivated for tomorrow and I hope I can get it (the yellow jersey) on for Paris."
Schleck is gearing up for a big day on the 18.6km hors categorie Col du Tourmalet - a peak the peloton climbed from the reverse side on Tuesday.
Now they will finish at the top, with Schleck relishing the challenge which awaits.
Confidence
"I haven't given everything yet, that's what gives me confidence," said the 25-year-old from Luxembourg.
"When I dropped the chain, the moment I was back on the bike I had 50 seconds and at the top I only had a 15-second deficit - I bridged a pretty good gap there."
The fabled Col du Tourmalet represents Schleck's final opportunity to overtake Contador, with the Spaniard expected to fare better in Saturday's individual time trial.
Schleck added: "Right now the Tour is coming to an end and we're running out of time so I cannot wait until he has a bad day. There is only one chance left and that's tomorrow.
"I've got to try everything tomorrow because I want to win this. There's only one way and that's climbing the Tourmalet."
Wet weather is forecast, but Schleck is not concerned. "Tourmalet is Tourmalet, in sunshine or in rain," he said.
"I like Tourmalet because it's steady, it's hard and if you're not a climber you don't go up there.
"I've always said I believe that the guy who has the yellow tomorrow will be in yellow in Paris and I still believe that."
