Engines of society - Andy Schleck

July 18, 2006. Fifteenth stage of the Tour de France; the legendary Alpe d’Huez. Just meters away from a grueling uphill finish, a lone rider climbs out of the saddle, dressed in a red, white, and black jersey. The jersey of the renowned CSC cycling team. At that moment, time stops in the Grand Duchy.

Every Luxembourger presses pause on their lives and play on their TVs. Luxembourg flags slowly emerge from windows. As if winking at an entire nation watching him, Fränk Schleck glances back. With a ten-second lead, he crosses the finish line. On that day, the name Schleck is etched forever into Luxembourg's sporting history.

However, it’s a certain Andy—his younger brother—who will paint it yellow in 2010. Fourteen years later, the sun shines over Howald despite a chill that heralds the start of winter. In cycling, every second counts. A minute more or less separates a winner from their runner-up.

So it’s no surprise that Andy Schleck arrives a few minutes early, eager to test the Škoda Enyaq RS, a fully electric vehicle. The Czech car brand plays a significant role in his life. Having worn its logo on the Maillot Blanc he won three times (2008, 2009, 2010), he is now its proud ambassador.

A love for cycling

From the moment he arrives, Andy is friendly and approachable. Down-to-earth. "Škoda is the car for cycling fans, " he says while searching for the model he’s about to test in the sprawling underground Losch parking lot. "It’s a brand on the rise. Sponsor of the Tour de France for 21 years and the Tour de Luxembourg for 20 years."

A press of the vehicle’s smart key causes the lights to illuminate. Its Matrix LED headlights leave no doubt: this is the one. Sporty and bold, its exterior design stands out with dynamic lines and a muscular profile. Andy Schleck eagerly opens the Velvet Red door and climbs inside.

"Spacious trunk, plenty of room in the front and back, " he notes. "You couldn’t ask for more comfort anywhere else." Inside, a sophisticated yet family-friendly ambiance prevails. Refined atmosphere, meticulous finishes, and premium materials—nothing is left to chance. "It’s an amazing car, " Andy says as he enters the address of his shop on the vehicle’s 13-inch touchscreen… and takes off.

For while Andy is still known to most as a Maillot Jaune above all, he has since swapped his Galibier ascents for a quieter life. "I organize the Škoda Tour de Luxembourg and manage two bike shops: one in Itzig and the other in Mertert." The first is home to the famous Cappuccino Rides on weekends: "It’s a pretty well-known meetup!"

Every Saturday morning, cycling enthusiasts gather to ride together. "We’ve canceled six since 2016 because we had no choice. Otherwise… rain or shine, no excuses. We started this for the community." Accompanied by free coffee and croissants, the event sometimes draws up to 100 people, some traveling from as far as Brussels or Karlsruhe just to join in.

When he can, Andy joins them. Riding in the slipstream of a former Tour de France champion is an experience—but to him, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. "Cycling isn’t just about the people who do the Tour de France, " he explains. "Not everyone wants to climb a mountain with a heart rate of 170 bpm. Riding to Remich is nice too." For Andy, it’s all about passion.

"I’ve always been passionate, " he says. "I’ve always watched races. When I was a little boy, bike shops for me were like Toys ‘R’ Us for other kids." At 13, he joined his first club, and it quickly became clear he had what it took to win races. "That’s when the dream was born. But at that point, you haven’t achieved anything yet. Cycling doesn’t start as early as football."

The love of cycling, however, was always there. "The real training started when I was 16 or 17 and joined the national team." There, he was able to measure himself against the best abroad—and he didn’t disappoint. "I realized I had what it took, and my dream of becoming a professional cyclist grew stronger… but as a Luxembourger, you feel small."

"In Luxembourg, we’re not used to having top athletes, " he continues. “You’re always asking yourself: How can I succeed as a Luxembourger? It’s silly, because where you come from doesn’t define you." Determined to give himself every chance, Andy decided to go all in once he finished his studies.

More than a passion

"Because a dream without a plan is just a dream. Nothing more. I wanted to succeed, so I gave it 100%." Going out on weekends, grabbing drinks in town—he almost never experienced that. "My friends told me I was missing out, but I didn’t feel that way. I was living other things instead. At 17, I was flying to Canada for the World Cup."

No downtime, but no regrets either. Andy explains: "When you choose to make this sport your career, you don’t do it thinking you’ll make a lot of money someday. You do it for the passion, and you don’t regret what you leave behind." For him, sports are something you either commit to fully or not at all. That’s also what he tries to instill in his two young sons, who’ve chosen football and basketball instead.

"Chances are they’ll never end up at Bayern or in the NBA, but it’s a way of life. If it rains, they still go to practice. During games, they stay focused. With their teammates, they learn the value of teamwork. Sports instill values. I’ve learned more through sports than I did in my 13 years at school."

While the sun shines, the changing color of the trees and the cool temperature signal the season's change. On the country roads, painted orange by autumn, the Enyaq handles bend after bend with stability and control. "Honestly, you can’t find anything more fun and secure than this car." Fun and safety—a winning duo for a vehicle that’s both sporty and family-friendly.

Equipped with two motors, the Enyaq RS delivers a combined 340 horsepower and instant torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds. It’s an impressive performance for an SUV in this category, offering dynamic and responsive handling thanks to its efficient electric drivetrain. Andy agrees: "For me, the Škoda Enyaq RS is the ideal car."

And it takes a lot for him to give such high praise. "You’re never the best." Because he’s always striving for more. "The first major race I won was Liège-Bastogne-Liège. I won it in a way that hadn’t been seen in a long time." An attack 25 kilometers from the finish line, crossing with a minute-and-a-half lead. "It was a huge performance. But in the press conference, right after the race, I was already asking myself: How can I do better next year?"

Andy points to the road ahead: "The road we’re on now—I rode it when I became Junior Champion." Asked about his greatest victory, he can’t choose. "For me, a win is a win. Becoming Junior Champion and winning on the Galibier are both victories. The difference is that on the Galibier, millions of people were watching, while here, there were only a hundred. The stage gets bigger, but passion isn’t measured by the size of the stage or its audience."

At 18, he realized his dream was becoming reality. "I was invited to race as a trainee for CSC—one of the biggest teams—in Italy. I got the chance to do five races with them. I was so proud when I received the team’s jersey and helmet." With them, he raced an event called the Giro dell’Emilia: "Even today, I’d say it’s one of the hardest races of the year."

"I went back twice to fetch bottles for Ivan Basso, and he won the race that day, but I didn’t manage to finish. That evening, when I got back, I didn’t feel good. I was ashamed that I couldn’t make it to the end." Yet, his performance fast-tracked his pro career. "They told me: What we saw from you today deserves a contract."

Just like the iconic jerseys of the Tour de France, the Czech vehicle, also available in two versions–RS and RS Coupé–comes in several colors, including Graphite Grey, Magic Black, Velvet Red, Race Blue, and Mamba Green. The RS offers a classic, spacious SUV look, while the Coupé RS boasts a more aerodynamic and sporty silhouette with a sleek sloping roof.

With his Maillot Jaune, 3 Maillot Blancs, and 3 stage wins in the Tour, Andy’s record clearly shows he prefers the climbs. In Luxembourg, the hype around the Schleck brothers has only grown, summer after summer: "It all started in 2007 when I finished second in the Giro d’Italia. I would hear people say that the whole country was watching."

This excitement, however, the Schlecks only truly felt afterward: "Not long ago, I spoke with a network provider. He told me they had huge problems because everyone was streaming at the office. The system kept crashing because of it. That was the effect of the Tour de France and my Maillot Jaune." This likely allowed the two Luxembourgers to approach the Tour with less pressure.

"Although, as an athlete, the pressure doesn’t come from the country, " he explains as he prepares to park in front of his shop. "The pressure comes from the sponsors and the team you ride for. That’s the real pressure. The grandpa watching TV isn’t a source of pressure; it’s the reward when it all comes together. These are the beautiful stories that are told later."

Life in Yellow

Today, the parking spaces are free, making the maneuver easy. Otherwise, the Park Assist is there to help the driver. "Cars are smart now, " Andy says, a convinced Škoda driver himself. "Lane Assist makes sure you stay in your lane. Automatic braking in case of danger. It’s reassuring when the kids are in the back in the morning."

Andy Schleck Cycles, his shop, looks like an old, traditional farmhouse from the outside. Orange facade, olive green shutters. However, the portrait of the Luxembourgish cyclist on the entrance wall reveals its true nature. Andy enters: "Mäin zweet Doheem. (My second home.)" In the middle of the shop, his Maillot Jaune, won in 2010, hangs proudly. Even though it took him time to accept his victory.

Because–a little rewind here–Andy never wore it on the Champs-Élysées, as tradition dictates. It was a Spanish rider, who later had his title stripped for doping, who stood on the highest step alongside the Luxembourger and his brother. In his place. "That victory, at that moment, was stolen from me, " Andy explains, still visibly affected.

"Meanwhile, I see myself as a Maillot Jaune, but in reality, I have no memory of that victory." He continues: "I won the Tour de France in 2010, and I deserved it, but it’s sad to have a trophy at home without the celebration to go with it. That’s why the process took time. But I know how much I suffered. How much I worked. The fact that someone took a shortcut doesn’t change that."

This trophy is, among other things, what makes him an example today for several generations of young people who wish to one day be like him: "I realize that many of them think it’s easy. You train, you win two races, and then you become a pro. But no: there are 1,000 steps in between. Young people see our careers as a fairytale; they don’t see the sacrifices and all the tears that were shed."

In 2014, Andy retired from professional racing due to an injury. That, along with "every race I didn’t win, " is his biggest defeats. "Success is like a pregnant woman. Everyone congratulates you, but no one asks how many times you tried…" Successes like those Andy and Fränk experienced aren’t likely to return to Luxembourg anytime soon.

While many believe that Luxembourg's glory years in cycling are part of the past, Andy doesn’t share that view. "People compare good levels and excellence, " he explains. "Okay, we don’t have anyone on the podium of the Tour, but we’re talking about the world elite here. Alex Kirsch, Kevin Geniets, Bob Jungels: that's the Champions League." Moreover, he believes that the level of cycling has only improved since 2010.

Andy moves behind the bar, at the back of the room. "Coffee?" Cappuccino Rides requires. As he hints, this shop is his sanctuary. While his role here now seems clear, he had no concrete plans once his career ended. Before deciding what to do next, he took a step back: "I took the time to stop for a while. To go fishing. To reconnect with my social life."

To recharge his batteries. The Škoda Enyaq RS has an 82 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 540 km. With fast charging at up to 175 kW, it can go from 10 to 80% in just 28 minutes. Additionally, the energy recovery system extends the base range while providing smooth driving. "Perfect for the context of Luxembourg."

The hidden face of the Alps

"At first, it was beautiful. But after two weeks of fishing, I started asking myself questions, " Andy laughs. "I realized I needed to reinvent myself. My post-career felt like someone had stolen my clothes. I was naked. Cycling was my comfort zone. At that moment, I had lost everything. That was the hardest time of my life. I no longer had an identity."

A question then took over his thoughts: how could he have another impact? And an idea came to him: "I’m going to open my own bike shop, make it the best in the world. That was my goal. I took a flight to the USA and visited all sorts of stores. What works, what doesn’t. What’s cool, what’s not." Once he returned, he organized his thoughts and took the plunge.

The result is a seamless blend of expertise and lifestyle. Customers are advised by experts. "Service and know-how, because while everyone knows how to ride a bike, only a few people actually understand it." But they can also participate in innovative events. "This year during the Giro d’Italia, we organized a Wine Tasting: the Giro del Vino. The idea was to have people taste different wines from the areas where the Giro passed. Our top priority is customer service."

When thinking of the Tour de France, one might initially think that cycling and alcohol don’t mix. But with its champagne at the start of the last stage, maybe they do… "That cup, it’s symbolic, " Andy smiles. "Almost nobody drinks it. I’ve never drunk it. You don’t want to ride over the cobblestones of the Champs-Élysées tipsy. (laughs)"

On the way back, the Rue d’Itzig is congested. Rush hour, no chance to enjoy the Enyaq Coupé RS’s top speed of 180 km/h. Only cyclists can bypass the traffic. They all stop to greet Andy. Fortunately, the red lights quickly give way to country roads, which the driver knows like the back of his hand. In addition to managing two shops, the former champion has been organizing the Tour de Luxembourg in collaboration with Škoda since 2016.

A task that complements his cycling knowledge. "Organizing a Tour is all about balance, " he explains. "The spectator must be fascinated, and the rider must feel safe; the safety of the riders can never be compromised. The key is balance. Make the race interesting for the athletes, guarantee their safety, offer something to the country and its spectators, and promote tourism."

From his career, the most beautiful moment will probably be his podium finishes in Paris. Especially because he wasn’t alone: "The fact that I could share that with my brother… That’s a historic moment that won’t come back." But the Andy of today has successfully reinvented himself. His priority is his family, and his favorite sound is the laughter of his children when they play in his bed in the morning. And when he introduces himself, he doesn’t mention his Maillot Jaune.

"Le Maillot Jaune is not my identity", he concludes. "It’s a label. When I was wearing the Maillot Jaune, I was invited to a conference as the winner of the Tour de France. A private jet came to pick me up, a driver was waiting at the airport and took me to the venue where I gave my speech on stage. The following year, I was invited again, but this time, I was no longer the Maillot Jaune."

No more jet travel. "I took the train from here to Paris, followed by the metro, and while someone else was on stage, I was in the audience. That’s when I realized the plane and the chauffeur weren’t for me; they were for the Maillot Jaune. You have to be careful not to lose yourself because of the label you wear."

"Behind every Maillot Jaune, behind every victory, there’s a little boy who worked hard to get where he is. This little boy, he breathes oxygen. He drinks water just like everyone else." Maybe he’s even sitting in the back of his father’s Škoda Enyaq RS, who knows.

"You have to be careful never to forget that little boy."