Doesn’t think Voeckler will finish on final podium, says Contador is back in form

Jens VoigtCharismatic Leopard Trek rider Jens Voigt was in a chatty mood as usual at this morning’s start, and said that the team was set for an important day in the saddle. “The mood is good…everybody knows about the importance of today and everyone is ready to go all in,” he told VeloNation. “We will see what the day will bring.”

Voigt is working for two leaders, namely Frank and Andy Schleck, and the team has tried to play its tactics to ensure that both remain in contention at this point. Frank Schleck started today’s stage third overall, one minute 22 seconds back, while his younger brother Andy was one place and one minute 14 seconds further behind.

Asked by VeloNation if he envisaged that some riders might attack before the final climb up to the Col du Galibier, he said that it was a possibility. “I don’t know…there are a lot of riders who would like to make up time,” he answered. “I don’t know if everybody wants to wait for the last climb…if they are confident enough that they can gain two minutes on the last climb, they you wait.

“We will see…I am not in the meeting with the other teams, I only know what we say in our meeting. But I could imagine that some teams maybe have a different strategy and might go from a long way out…we will see.”

As things transpired, Voigt’s team-mate Andy Schleck threw down the gauntlet on the Col d’Izoard, chosing to make his move on the second-to-last climb. It remains to be seen how things work out, but Voigt did some important driving prior to the attack.

One of those the Schlecks are seeking to overcome is the race leader Thomas Voeckler. The German said that he didn’t think it would be possible for the Frenchman to finish on the final podium, but seemed to believe that Alberto Contador had a bigger chance. The Spaniard started today’s stage sixth overall, three minutes 15 seconds away from the yellow jersey.

“I guess the last two days he showed some increasing form, and some daring attacks. I think he is fully back in the circle of top favourites,” he admitted.


Click on the video below to see Voigt’s pre-stage interview.