[T-Mobile's Jan Ullrich and CSC's Ivan Basso, two the great contenders for next year's Tour de France, didn't mingle with the top ten of the race. Both came in with the peloton nearly one minute after the winner, and finished 45th and 59th respectively.] You start to feel that the power missing, ... The season has been long, and the legs start to get heavy. |
At the moment I just can't sit on the saddle. |
I am disappointed today, of course. It was actually going well until the rain. But I have a good team and we are not giving up. |
I have a lot to catch up. I've never started the season so late. It was fun to ride after so long. I didn't go all out on this very technical course. |
I have always said that a Tour victory is more valuable if Lance Armstrong is participating. I will do everything I can to beat him in his last appearance on the Tour. |
I have the motivation, but not the legs. I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm confident in myself. |
I think I'm ready, |
I want to wear yellow in Paris in July and I reckon I am on the right track, |
I went to hospital for x-rays this morning because I was afraid something was broken but I'm glad it's not. My legs feel very good and I know I can compete as long as my body is in shape. The fact I'm still the race means I can stand the pain. |
I would prefer not to go and have to do all the preparations for Madrid, ... The thing is, if I prepare for the World's, I prepare for the road race. I have twice been World Champion in the time trial, so now the road race is my focus. |
I'm feeling better than expected. |
I'm going to try every day to reduce this 55-second split. I could go to my room, get into bed, pull the sheet over my head and cry, but I won't. |
I'm in pain but I'm confident I'll feel better tomorrow, |
I'm not looking at the general classification but I will be keen to test my legs on a few key stages. |
If it's true, I would of course be disappointed. Lance is the greatest of our time and maybe somebody's trying to put him down. I don't know what it's about, so all of this is very speculative. |