Frank Schleck will spearhead the RadioShack challenge in next month's Tour of Italy, replacing the injured Jakob Fuglsang, his team announced on Saturday. Schleck, who was third in last year's Tour de France, but was not originally slated for Italy, leads a nine-man team in the May 5-27 Giro after Fuglsang was ruled out with a left knee injury. 

"My season was directed at peaking in the Tour," said Schleck on Saturday. "But when you think about it, this situation creates opportunities. For sure, I will come to the start with a different preparation than the other riders, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

  

"My condition is not so bad and it can only grow in the coming weeks. The Tour of Italy is one of the big monuments of cycling as well, so it is at least a big challenge for me." The 32-year-old Schleck hasn't taken part in the Tour of Italy since 2005.