Breukink says decision will fall on Alpe d'Huez

It is a Tour for the climbers, according to Rabobank team manager Erik Breukink. "No prologue, no time bonuses and a short first time trial." The latter is especially of interest to his riders Denis Menchov and Thomas Dekker, who are specialists in such middle-length time trials, he told Telesport.nl.

"The mountain stages are especially difficult, with the ride to Alpe d'Huez as the main point. I think that that is where the decision will fall." Not only is the climb itself a classic, "that is the only stage with three really hard climbs." Of the climb to the Prato Nevoso in Italy, he said, "That is unknown territory."