Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Having enjoyed his first day in yellow on Sunday, Caisse d'Epargne – Illes Balears rider Oscar Pereiro says he is planning to fight hard to defend the race lead.
"My aim is to resist as long as possible," he said after the stage to Gap. "It was a surprise to become the leader of the race but now that the yellow jersey is mine, I don't want to give it up to anybody. Even if I am not the favourite for the final classification in Paris. I will see what happen from day to day and see to which point I am able to resist."
Pereiro was happy with how stage 14 went. "I want to thank my team-mates because they realized a great job to control the race, a very impressive one. You could see how skilled they are. Personally I felt very well even if I was a little bit tired in the final, but that is normal after yesterday's stage. I had very good sensations. It was a very beautiful day, full of emotions, even if I had almost no time to enjoy my jersey because the stage was so fast."
