Pre-stage quotes

Walter Godefroot, T-Mobile team manager

T-Mobile's team manager Walter Godefroot was interviewed on Belgian TV Sporza before today's seventh stage. In particular, he was asked about Vinokourov's late move yesterday that succeeded in gaining time on Lance Armstrong.

"The seconds Vino gained are not as important," said Godefroot. "It's only 19 seconds; that's not decisive at the end of the Tour, but morally it's a good thing. Sometimes Vino gets the comment that he does stupid things in the race. But now he's playing it smart. He attacked with a lot of power. He is really strong. When you look at the times, there's a 34 seconds difference between Vino and Jan, so Jan is still leader of the team, Vino is a solid back-up. I don't see the slightest problem.

"We don't have sprinter here, and it's a flat stage today. It's a stage like any other for us, whether it's in Germany or not."

Philippe Gilbert (Francaise des Jeux)

"My injuries are not bad, the legs are still good. There won't be a problem during the race I think. I just hope it's not raining too much today. I think it'll be a mass sprint again, Lotto and Quick.Step will try to make sure of that."