Klöden picking up intensity

"I am very satisfied with the spring and my two stage race wins, Tirreno-Adriatico and Sarthe," says Astana's Andreas Klöden modestly.

After this successful start to the season, he took a short break and rested, with just a little light training. But the quiet time is over, as he now moves into a higher gear, he writes on his website, andreas-kloeden.com

"The beginning of next week I will intensify my training again and continue my preparations for the Tour de France" he said. "I will get back into racing the end of May, with the Bayern Rundfahrt. That race fits well in my preparations because of its profile."

The 31 year-old will line up for the 94th Tour de France when it departs on July 7, in London.

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