Pre-stage 17 quotes
By John Trevorrow in St Jean de Maurienne Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto) "Well, this is the first...
By John Trevorrow in St Jean de Maurienne
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto)
"Well, this is the first berg for the day (he was riding up the hill to the sign on). I'll be glad when I'm out of these bloody mountains. I had an average night's sleep, when you're this tired it's hard to sleep well but I feel alright, I feel rested.
"Today is a big day for Cadel. It's going to be all or nothing on the Joux-Plane I reckon. If he can pull some time out from a few guys I'm tipping him to actually win the time trial. I'm still saying he's a potential winner of the Tour.
Cadel Evans (Davitamon-Lotto)
How do you think you will go today? "Well, hopefully I'll go okay; I seem to ride pretty steady in the mountains unlike some guys who have great days one day and bad ones the next."
This is your final chance to win the Tour? "Yes, if there's anything in the tank I'll go for it. We've been over a lot of mountains in this tour and there's lots still to go today. "
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You are not running on fumes are you? "Not yet anyway."
Chris Horner (Davitamon-Lotto)
"This will be the day for the GC guys. It's a big day for Cadel and a big day for the team in general. I think Cadel can take time out of all the other guys in the time trial, he just needs to get some time on Pereiro today. If he has a great day, if he woke up and just had the best legs of the year, he could take more than two minutes out of Pereiro in the time trial but it's a lot to ask. Cadel is so consistent he just doesn't have a real bad day."
Simon Gerrans (AG2R)
"I suffered a bit yesterday but I had a really good night's sleep. Did all the usual stuff, massage, relaxed. I've just got to hope I get through today alright.
"Tomorrow will be a hard day although we are out of the mountains because it is the last chance for the breakaways so there will be a lot going for it. Anyone who's got any legs left. Hopefully I'll be one of them.
Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis)
Bradley, how are you enjoying the mountains? "Getting through them, last day today."
You mentioned earlier in the tour you hoped to do a big ride in the time trial? "No that's not on the agenda now. I'll use it as a rest day. It's been a pretty hot and demanding tour and if I pulled out all stops I might get a top 20, but I don't think it's worth it. I'm pretty happy with how I've been going as I've been doing lots of work. Í am better to try and do something on one of the other two stages."
Mick Rogers (T-Mobile)
You were very impressive yesterday, Mick? "Yeah, we rode well, I had to a bit in front. We did not expect Pereiro to hang on like that. I was happy with the job I did, Klöden told me to put the pressure on when he could see Landis was in trouble and everything worked out well and I did my job.
The job's not over yet? "No, bugger it. It will be a huge day today, it's a really hard last climb and to do that after three big passes, it's hot but we will definitely be putting the pressure on over the last two climbs.
Stuart O'Grady (CSC)
"Today is a big day for the team and it's a chance for Carlos to take the yellow jersey today. I won't be able to be much help for last two climbs but I'll be doing whatever I can for him until then. The team is really geed. I mean that last climb is really steep and that suits Carlos."
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