Andy Schleck believes he can finally win the Tour de France this year after finishing runner-up in the past two years – whether reigning champion Alberto Contador is there or not.

“I’m not the one who should say so, but if you look at the standings of the last years, it’s normal that I am considered the favourite,” the Luxembourg rider told Spanish sports newspaper AS yesterday.

Schleck has finished second in the Tour de France to Contador in the past two years.

But the Spaniard is now facing a possible one-year ban from the sport after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs at last year’s event, although he has vowed to appeal.

Andy Schleck starts this year with his new Team Leopard-Trek, backed up by the likes of brother Frank as well as experienced riders Fabian Cancellara, of Switzerland, Australia’s Stuart O’Grady and German rider Jens Voigt.

He was asked by AS if he would still be favourite for the Tour de France if Contador competes.

“I think so. I don’t know what will happen with Contador. But I don’t believe it would change anything if he takes part or not. I’m going to concentrate on the Tour and not the other opponents,” before saying that “if Contador is there he also undoubtedly would be a favourite”.

The Schleck brothers left the Danish Saxo Bank team last year.

“I had a great career with Saxo Bank, but situations change,” said Andy Schleck, 25.

Contador, who has won the Tour de France three times, joined Saxo Bank on a two-year deal last year after leaving Astana just after the 2010 event.

The Spanish cycling federation last month recommended he receive a one-year ban for his positive test for the banned muscle-building and fat-burning drug clenbuterol.

The Spanish rider denies any wrongdoing and says he unknowingly ingested trace elements of clenbuterol from beef brought from Spain to France during the second rest day of the Tour.

The ban would strip Contador of the 2010 Tour title.