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
Cavendish strikes back in Tour de France
Thomas happy with Tour's white jersey; but says 'All for Brad'
Wiggins crashes on Tour stage start
Cavendish and Farrar return to top
Cavendish keeps up fight for first Tour win
Sky delivers Boasson Hagen to third without pressure
Thomas in tour's white jersey; Wiggins gains time
Evans and Schleck gain in Tour's hell of the north
The Feed Zone: Tour news and views (July 6)
Vande Velde abandons Tour following crash
Andy Schleck has a laugh after stage two crash
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
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