Leon Van Bon led me out perfectly, but I started the sprint too early, couldn't finish it. Although I was going for a stage win, the intermediate bonus sprint and the green jersey gives me a lot of self confidence.

This course reminds me a lot of the Olympic course last year in Athens. Everyone said that was going to be a sprint and look what happened. I still think this will be a sprint, but I can't imagine more than 50 racers finishing in the front group. It's going to be hard.

This course reminds me a lot of the Olympic course last year in Athens, ... Everyone said that was going to be a sprint and look what happened. I still think this will be a sprint, but I can't imagine more than 50 racers finishing in the front group. It's going to be hard.

It's now 2-2 with Tom but this is not football. I ride to win stages not to compete against another rider. We have a sporting rivalry but we're good friends.

The final circuit was tough as we had to climb an uphill section three times. I'm happy for the victory but I'm exhausted,

My only hope is to profit from the work of the big teams with nine men and stay with the top riders,