Riis racing to win Tour with Schleck, not sponsor

Bjarne Riis is in France to win the Tour de France and not to influence potential replacement sponsors for the Saxo Bank team. He risks losing his leaders, including the Schleck brothers, though, if he fails to secure a sponsor soon.

"I don't want to fixate on having the Schlecks in the team," he told French paper L'Equipe. "My priority is to win in Paris with Andy."

Luxembourg's Andy Schleck finished second overall last year, just over four minutes behind Spain's Alberto Contador. He is currently sixth overall after excelling in the cobbled stage to Arenberg, the same stage where his brother Fränk crashed and broke his collarbone.

Team Sky's and Riis' former press officer, Bryan Nygaard is creating a team based in Luxembourg for next year. It is uncertain if the Schleck brothers will join the team, but it would make sense that they would want to race for their home country.

Andy said before the Tour de France that he is in discussions with four different teams: Riis', Nygaard's and two yet unknown teams.

"Even if the brothers aren't in my team in 2011, we are here to win the tour in 2010 - that's our mission," continued Riis.

"With our without them, I am optimistic for the future of my team. It doesn't interest me to know what they will do in 2011. People can't forget that this is my team. I am the leader of it with my philosophy, and that will never change."

Saxo Bank's Fabian Cancellara won the opening stage in Rotterdam and has led the Tour for five days now. Riis said that it was good for the team, but that finding a sponsor did not hinge on Saxo Bank performing well at the Tour de France.

"The sponsors don't necessarily look of the names of the rider. The people I have contacted are more interested in my philosophy. They have confidence in what I do with the riders and who I sign."

Tour de France 2010: Latest news

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Wiggins crashes on Tour stage start

Cavendish and Farrar return to top

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The Feed Zone: Tour news and views (July 6)

Vande Velde abandons Tour following crash

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The Feed Zone: News and views (July 5)

Sky banks on Thomas ahead of cobbled stage

Cavendish's sprint train weakened with Hansen out

Armstrong under fire as Landis allegations reach mainstream

Team Sky's decision to put Wiggins off early back fires

Tour de France 2010: Stage reports

Stage five: Cavendish wins his first stage of Tour

Stage four: Petacchi wins into Reims

Stage three: Hushovd takes dramatic win; Thomas second on stage and GC

Stage three live coverage: As it happened

Stage two: Comeback man Chavanel takes victory in Spa

Stage one: Petacchi wins in Brussels as bunch left in tatters

Prologue: Cancellara pips Martin to win

Tour de France 2010: Photos

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one gallery

Prologue photo gallery

Tour de France 2010: Videos

Stage four video highlights

Stage three video highlights

Stage two video highlights

Stage one video highlights

Prologue video highlights

Tour de France 2010: Race guide

Tour de France 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

Official start list, with race numbers

Brits at the Tour 2010

Tout team guide

Tour jerseys: What they are and what they mean

Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Wiggins

Tour de France 2010: Pictures

Tour team presentation, Rotterdam

Tour teams take to the cobbles: Photo special