The Schleck brothers

Ok, I admit it.  Though I own a road bike, until moving to Luxembourg I had no idea who Frank and Andy Schleck were.  Turns out, they are two (really famous) brothers who have put our little European country on the map in the sports world.  Frank Schleck, 31, and younger brother Andy Schleck, 26, are on the Luxembourg cycling team, Leopard Trek.

Frank Schleck (l) and Andy Schleck (r) just made history by being the first brothers to stand on the same podium at the Tour de France, which just finished this past Sunday.  Though Andy Schleck led much of the race and, from what I understand, was expected to win, he ended up coming in second place and Frank, third.  Clad in Schleck jerseys, Luxembourgers everywhere have been going wild.

As a treat to the city, the participants of the Tour de France did a mini-race / gala last night in Luxembourg center.  Alex and I met some of our Luxembourgish friends (and the Queens, of course) for the event and it was a really big deal (complete with fireworks)!  Thousands of proud Luxembourgers showed up to cheer everyone on and to watch the pack of racers from all over the world make 50 laps around our city center.  Here are a few pictures...

Huge hot air balloons greeted us as we walked across the bridge

The cyclists wizzing by

The boys on the sidelines

And, though this video doesn't do a good job capturing the cyclists' speed, can I tell you, these guys were going FAAAAAST!  Here's a glimpse of what I saw from the sidelines...

The fun thing about the event was that it was an actual race!  Frank Schleck took first place and Andy, third.  Here's Frank on the podium.  Photo courtesy of a much taller Chris Queen (thanks :)

Congratulations to the Schleck brothers - Luxembourg's biggest celebrities!