By John Trevorrow in Gérardmer
Allan Davis (Liberty Seguros)
How is the corked leg feeling today? "It's a bit sore but it's alright. It gave me hell yesterday, but I just have to get through today and there is the rest day tomorrow."
"Yesterday, it was very hard. The stage was just flat out right from the start. I managed to stay there for 150km, but with the last climb they sprinted into it, and I just found my group, and just did what I had to do to get in without going too far into the red zone. Today is going to be much the same. It is a matter of finding the right level and getting in within the time limit."
"I have got some pain in my knee; some 'fat pads' and I went through 100km of pain yesterday. I got myself into a good group and that wasn't too bad. I felt fine in every other way."
How is the Tour panning out for you? "Yes, okay, my goal was to win a stage, or at least one stage win, which I haven't done yet. I am only 5 points behind Boonen for the green jersey and of course this is a big objective."
Is Robbie McEwen out of the race for the green jersey? "Oh no, Robbie is too fast a sprinter to count out, but he will need Boonen or myself to have some bad luck. At this stage I am racing Boonen for the green jersey."
How are you feeling after your crash? "Yesterday was one of the worst days of my life. I was in a lot pain and I could only ride at 20 percent of my ability. I have had to bring my chiropractor over from Belgium and he worked on me last night and this morning. Now it's supposed to get better and I just hope I can get in on time today and not suffer too much, then after the rest day I can resume the battle for the maillot vert."
"Gee, I nearly started in the wrong shirt today. In the Giro d'Italia our shirts were the same design, but with some Italian writing and an Italian phone number. I must have had one sitting in the bottom of my bag and I put it on. Just before the start, one of the team officials noticed...a good thing. I would have got disqualified for that!"
