Frankie’s on his way at last.

They say that “no news is good news” but I really can’t agree.

We’ve been on tenterhooks, wondering how long it’s going to take Frankie to sort out the problem with his Adverse Finding during the Tour – and today, there is news that things are progressing a little.

Thanks to Brisbane Gal for pointing out this report in cycling news, telling us that Frankie has appeared in front of LADA, or whatever the Lux Anti-Doping Agency call themselves, late yesterday, Wednesday.

The article is headed, somewhat misleadingly, “Frank Schleck Fronts Disciplinary Committee” but we think they mean “appears in front of”, don’t we. Or maybe not, perhaps he has formed his own Disciplinary Committee?

Somewhere in Lux:

Frankie: “Right! Stand to attention! You are hereby called before this Disciplinary Committee to answer to the accusations made about you recently. Please state your name and country of affiliation.”
Leea: “A booo booo fffff.” (dribbles slightly)
Frankie: “Are you, in fact, Leea Schleck, guilty of not eating all your greens?”
Leea: (laughs up at Frankie) “Dah-deeee!”
Frankie: (trying to remain stern) “And is it not a fact that you have repeatedly failed to put away your toys?”
Leea: “Pffffff,” (blows bubbles) “Dah-deee, Dah-dee!”

The hearing crumbles in disarray, and Martine enters the room, suggesting that it’s time the pair of them went out to the playpark and had a go on the swings.

Where were we? Oh yes, Frankie has appeared in front of the Committee, and they have said that a decision will be announced within a few weeks.

Now we all know what that decision is going to be: accidental ingestion, no sanction. Or possibly a small fine. And then WADA are going to trample all over it with their big boots, and possibly the UCI will also stick their noses in… so let’s hope that LADA will take the precaution of discussing the matter with WADA and the UCI before making their announcement.

Frankie, this is a hard time for you, but we are all with you. And even if WADA/UCI “do a Contador” on you, and hand you a (hopefully very short) ban, please, please, take it like a man, don’t appeal, just continue to tell everyone that you are innocent, and continue with the analysis that you mention, and find out where this contaminant came from.

Meanwhile the saga of Will Shack Continue Next Year? rumbles on. They announced that two riders, Nizzolo and Popovytch, had signed up again, which is clearly a sign that they are continuing next year.

We also heard the news, a week ago, that Kiserlovski has left Astana to sign for two years with Shack.

And of course Jensi has signed for another year: in my view, the firmest possible indication that Andy and Frankie will indeed be honouring their contracts and staying there until 2013.

(I am skipping over the outraged raised-eyebrows and “have they not read about the non-payment, constant sniping, bad management etc” comments.)

So, all these are good signs that Shack will continue.

But today another crack appears: Shack have announced that they are considering suing Sep Vanmarcke of Garmin, because back at the Classics earlier this year, he agreed to join the Shack, and (they say) confirmed it in writing. Now, however, he’s apparently negotiating with other teams, and the rumour is that he’s going to Rabobank.

Shack are clearly very cross about this.

So why did Vanmarcke change his mind? Does make you wonder, doesn’t it?!

• Posted in: Andy Schleck ♦ Pro-cycling