Hushovd gunning for a stage win

One rider McEwen will be up against in the bunch finishes is Norwegian Thor Hushovd, who managed to get the better of him to win on the Champs Elysées this year. The Credit Agricole rider talked about his aims at the start: "I am feeling okay. I had time to recover after the Tour de France and I am pleased to be here. My goal is to win a stage, like I did last year. Then I am happy.

"After this I will do the World's and Paris-Tours. I have only seen the World's course on paper…I know it is hard, but I hope I will go there in good shape."

One rider who will be following his progress is his friend and teammate Saul Raisin. Hushovd said that he is progressing well in his recovery from a very bad crash earlier this year. "I spoke with him four days ago. He is good, he has been training and he is feeling much better. He wants to come back. I think he can do it, he is so motivated… he wants to return so much that I think he will make it."