World champion defiant in battle to hold GC lead
Garmin-Cervélo rider Thor Hushovd surprised many when, against all expectations, he successfully defended the yellow jersey on Tuesday’s stage to the Mûr de Bretagne. Distanced early on the steep ramp up to the finish, he rallied towards the summit and latched back onto the back of the lead group. He then raced home sixth, dashing across the line in the same time as stage winner Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) and Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank SunGard).
“I am really happy and am really proud of myself, and of the effort I did today up this Mur de Bretagne to keep this jersey,” he said afterwards on French TV. “I went really, really deep, but I had good legs and good form, so that is why I could make it.”
The significance of Hushovd’s ride is reflected in the fact that many of the general classification favourites finished in a chase group eight seconds behind the world champion. Present in that group were last year’s runner up Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek), Damiano Cunego (Lampre ISD), Christian Vande Velde, Tom Danielson and Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin Cervélo) plus Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack).
“When you are in yellow and everything works perfect, it gives me a lot of confidence,” he said, explaining his ride. Having defended his jersey, he now wants to retain it for as long as possible. “I just have to keep on fighting. With the strong team we have, I am sure we can defend the jersey. I think I can stay in yellow for maybe two more days. I will give everything and I trust my team that we will manage to do this.”