Andy Schleck – “I hope I can show I'm in good shape...”

“I remember last year at the Giro d’Italia, I also got the white jersey in stage number nine and I never gave it up so I hope I can do the same thing here. Of course, we have seen that Ricco is extremely strong the other day and again on the Col d’Aspin and he will surely keep going. Lovkvist had a really bad day today and I feel a little sorry for him because he is my friend but that’s cycling. _ “The white jersey is an objective and if I’m good, then I’ll keep it. When I’m riding for a good result in the general classification then I should be able to defend it. _ “It wasn’t too bad today because the favorites were looking at each other and when Ricco attacked they just let him go. Caisse d’Epargne looked at Evans, and Evans looked at Menchov and he looked at us and so we all rode to the finish together without too many attacks. I was never in trouble although there were times when I was starting to wonder about my form at the start of the Tour but that was just in my mind. My legs are good now and I’m looking forward to the high mountains tomorrow and the Alps. I hope that I can show that I’m in good shape. _ “Today we weren’t riding too aggressively we were waiting for the others to attack and they were waiting for us to go so that’s how Ricco was able to take advantage of the situation. He was really strong and I don’t know if someone could have actually followed him today.”