A 16 kilometre climb up Wolf Creek Pass yesterday saw TREK Factory Racing's Fränk Schleck maintained his high position in the Tour of Utah.
Luxembourgish cyclist Fränk Schleck has held his 20th place as the Tou enters its final three days, with Saturday's queen stage expected to be the biggest factor to determine the outcome of the final GC.
Speaking on yesterday's race, TREK Factory Racing director Alain Gallopin explained, "The most important today was for Leonardo and Fränk to not lose time because it was a tricky uphill finish with some turns before, but the team did well. We knew today that UnitedHealthcare would control the race all day, and it was easy to understand that it would be a sprint. Tomorrow could be something, but I want to keep all the power for Saturday, and for Fränk it could be a good test for the Vuelta".
The cyclist has been suffering from saddle sore, but still managed to finish 20th on Day Three of the event.
"Fränk looks like he will be okay - he still has the saddle sore, but it has not gotten worse so he can continue so far," continued Gallopin. "Tomorrow is a small stage, but I remember the circuit from a few years ago; it is really, really, really hard."
Two young stagiaires, Leonardo Basso and Julien Bernard, have been accompanying Schleck in the race and have reportedly already shown their skills and value as members of the team.
"Leonardo is doing really well," commented Gallopin. "I have given him free rein and have put Julien [Bernard], who is also a very good climber especially on steep climbs but now he is out of the GC so he is working close to Fränk, and he did a very good job again today. Fränk has been very happy with Julien’s support."
The Tour of Utah will finish on Sunday 9 August 2015.
Photo by TREK Factory Racing
