Klöden checks form at Tirreno

Andreas Klöden (Astana) is starting in Tirreno-Adriatico today to see how his form has improved compared to his last race, the Volta ao Algarve in February. In-between he has done a block of training in the Tessin area of Switzerland.

"The weather there was better than at home," Klöden wrote on his website, andreas-kloeden.com. "There were a few mediocre days, but for 10 days I was able to do my training programme in good weather, like I had planned."

Klöden will use Tirreno to get in form for other races in the spring, but may test himself. "Maybe I will pick one or two stages where I want to get a good result."

Priorities have shifted for the German, who won the race overall in 2007. Besides his important team role for captains Alberto Contador, Lance Armstrong or Levi Leipheimer, he may also opt for races coming a little bit later. Last year he won the Tour de Romandie in late April/early May.

For the week ahead he had just one hope. "Good weather and no crash!"