Andy Schleck is confident he can win the 2012 Tour de France on the road, after being awarded the 2010 title in a courtroom. (Schleck 3/1 Tour Outright)

The RadioShack-Nissan-Trek rider was given the 2010 Tour de France title after a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing stripped Alberto Contador of the win and banned the Spaniard for failing a dope test.

Schleck had previously also finished in second in 2009. He was then forced to settle for second place yet again behind eventual winner Cadel Evans (15/8 Tour de France Outright) in the 2011 Tour, after the Aussie overtook him on the penultimate time trial stage of the race.

The Luxembourg rider reckons the mountains will be more important in the 2012 Tour de France and Schleck is happy the route gives him lots of chances to attack Evans and beat him to the yellow jersey.

“The Tour will not be won in the time trials but in the mountains. There will be 25 climbs against 23 in 2011,” said Schleck.

“I will try not to lose too much time in the prologue. The Besancon time trial (stage nine) is tough and suits me well. I just have to improve for the final time trial.”

British hope Bradley Wiggins (5/1 Tour de France Outright) recently said he was in a ‘good position’ with regards his preparations for the 2012 Tour and he is confident he can put in a great performance.

He told The Guardian: “It’s not long until the Tour and the most important part of the preparation is over. I’ve done the hard work, stayed healthy. It’s just a matter of taking my training head off and racing now.”