Marcel Sieberg of Team Milram described the stage from Val d'Isère to Briançon. He has already memorized the profile, "so I gave away the map." He acknowledged that it will be a very difficult stage and hopes that "I will still get a lift ticket, otherwise it can end pretty badly."
Sieberg revealed that the day after a rest day is always special, and stage 9 starts out with a climb of 15 kilometres immediately. Even though it is the shortest of the Tour, Sieberg thinks the fact that the whole stage is broadcast on TV, will add additional zest to the race as riders are looking for TV exposure. "My main goal is the first climb - it is also the highest point of the Tour. After that it is all downhill until kilometre 86."
Sieberg says he wants to try to stay in the peloton until the Télégraphe. He sees the whole team "fighting for survival, not for the stage victory." His hopes are that they climb the first mountain easy and "let five or six get away who don't play a role in the overall." He didn't think any Milram rider would be in such a group except maybe "Kneesi [Christian Knees]. He has good legs."
But the real race will likely start at the Télégraphe, Sieberg thinks. "Five or ten of the usual suspects will fight for the stage victory. We, on the other hand, will just see that we can reach the finish in time."
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