Hushovd looking for first season win in Amgen Tour of California

World road champion Thor Hushovd is looking for his fist season win in the Amgen Tour of California this week. It is his first race since Paris-Roubaix, five weeks ago, and the Garmin-Cervelo rider is a little uncertain of how things will go.

“I am not sure of my form,” he told tv2sporten.no. “I had a long quiet period and let down a little. So I trained to build myself up again. When you get a little tense from training and don't have the speed in your legs, then you need to race. But I hope it comes after a couple of days.”

The Norwegian is also suffering from the time difference. “I didn't get to the US until Friday night, so I have a bit of a jet lag and the body is tired. But it is probably okay. "

Hushovd is not satisfied with his season so far. “Results-wise it has been disappointing. I have been in good form and was often at the front in races, but somehow have not gotten any results. It is caused by a combination of luck and concentration, and poor tactical choices along the way.

“I will take this opportunity here in California to win a stage.”

Like the other sprinters, Hushovd is targeting the second and eighth stages, particularly the latter.“The last day may be good for me. That's probably where I have the greatest chance of winning, so I will go for it."

He sees his main competition in HTC-Highroad's Matthew Goss, “always a man to be reckoned with. He won Milan-San Remo this year, and he is dangerous. In addition, Peter Sagan has enough to do well.”