By Shane Stokes in Bern
Although Frank Schleck was able to continue in the Tour de Suisse after his bad crash earlier in the week, he told Cyclingnews at the start of stage nine that he was feeling the effects.
"I have got a problem with my hip due to the crash, because my back was tight," he said. "I went really deep yesterday [in the mountain time trial] because I wanted to test myself. I was also super-motivated because Bjarne was here, he went behind me [in the car] and he told me the way I should ride. I gave it everything, I went really deep.
"This morning my whole back and hips didn't feel very good. However with a couple of days rest it should be okay. I will go and see my chiropractor, my neighbour...she is really fantastic and she always helps me a lot. It should be fine for the Tour."
Schleck finished fifth in the mountain time trial and expects to ride strongly in the Tour de France. Carlos Sastre will start as team captain but he and his brother Andy will also have protected positions.
