Pozzato plays his cards first for Boonen at Le Tour

By Tim Maloney, European Editor in Strasbourg

We spoke to Quick.Step's Filippo Pozzato in Strasbourg Sunday, who told us, "That prologue yesterday looked easy but it turned out to be really hard, especially the last three kilometres. I'm hoping to do well here at the Tour; my form is good and I hope to have some chances here."

We asked Pozzato where he was going to find some space to play his cards and the likeable young Italian, winner of Milano-Sanremo this March responded: "In the sprinter's stages, like today, we're all for Tom (Boonen), but there are other stages, like Tuesday's hard stage to Valkenburg that are good for me. So after that, I'll take it day by day and see if there other chances that come."

In his last year with Quick.Step, Pozzato is one of the most courted riders in the peloton and we asked 'Pippo' if he would stay with Quick.Step or had chosen a new squad for 2007. "At this point, I haven't made any decision..." he said. "I'm focusing on the Tour and evaluating things. I'll be talking (to my team and some others) and then can understand better what I want to do next season."