Andy Schleck Out of Tour de France

Reports are coming out of Luxembourg that Andy Schleck will not compete in the 2012 Tour de France due to his injuries from a crash in the Critérium du Dauphiné stage 4 time trial. A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon.

Schleck was recently awarded the winner's yellow jersey for the 2010 Tour de France in a ceremony in Luxembourg; Schleck became the winner after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) handed Alberto Contador a two year suspension for the presence of clenbuterol in his urine sample during the 2010 Tour de France. In 2011 Schleck finished 2nd.

That leaves 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans and the on-fire Bradley Wiggins as the favorites but also leaves some space for an Italian rider to be on the podium. Note: Contador's suspension prevents him from riding this year's Tour de France.

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