Slow recovery keeps Schleck out of Paris-Nice

Frank Schleck will not be on the start line for next week's Paris-Nice after a slower than expected recovery from an early season injury.

The Trek Factor Racing rider crashed hard in the first day of racing at the Vuelta a Andalucia, sustaining a deep muscular hematoma in his quadricep.

"I am recovering, but it has not gone as fast as I had hoped, Schleck said. "It's still painful, especially walking. On the bike it actually feels better.

"So I am able to train a couple hours on the road now, but obviously this is not enough to be ready for a race like Paris-Nice.

"I am obviously very disappointed. When I crashed, even though it was super painful, I always thought I would be at the next race.

"It has been a frustrating injury and a slow healing process, but it is still early season and I will be back. I should be fine for GP Nobili."

The 34-year-old Schleck is the current national champion of Luxembourg but best days are probably behind him. Yet he remains the kind of rider who can animate a race on his best days and can still post regular top-ten results.

Before his crash in Andalucia he rode to a 9th place at the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana, one of the five early season races which make up the Challenge Mallorca.

Rising Luxembourg star Bob Jungels will lead Trek Factory Racing for Paris-Nice and will be supported by Riccardo Zoidl (AUT), Giacomo Nizzolo (ITA), Gert Steegmans (BEL), Kristof Vandewalle (BEL), Gregory Rast (SUI), Eugenio Alafaci (ITA), and Marco Coledon (ITA).

SBS2 will broadcast and Cycling Central will stream online all stages of the 2015 Paris-Nice LIVE from Monday 9 March.