Baguet pleased with form

Belgian National Champion Serge Baguet told Cyclingnews he was quite happy with his form yesterday. Since the start of the season, spectators have seen that the 36 year-old Baguet is still very capable of working like a horse for his team captains at Quick.Step. Baguet was mostly spotted in the front of the bunch, attentively keeping an eye on everything that moves and putting in some fantastic efforts with Boonen or another team leader in his wheel.

"With someone like Bettini in the team, you can't doubt," Baguet said. "Even though there is no guarantee for the victory, you still go flat out. On the Bohissau, Paolo yelled vai! [meaning Go! in Italian - ed.]. Well, that's what I did, hey!"

The Tour de France stage winner is happy about his role within his Quick.Step team: He makes it no secret he'd like to add another couple of seasons to his career within the ranks of team boss Lefévère, as a domestique. Even though it was clear that Baguet was one of the stronger riders in the race on Wednesday, he didn't mind sacrificing his chances for Bettini.

"I'm enjoying riding in service of guys like Boonen and Bettini," explained Baguet. "It's better than finishing anonymously somewhere in 15th or 20th position. When you are riding for a world champion or an Olympic champion you don't even think about riding your own race; it is a real thrill to ride for them. I'd be crazy not to work for them.

"Before the season, I was nervous about showing this tricolour jersey enough. But it's going well, I think I have been doing a good job so far and that people have seen that the Belgian National Champion helps to make the races. The positive attitude of the rest of the team is very rewarding in itself."