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| ® PHOTO: Tim de Waelle |
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER
THE 14TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
Thinking about the Alps
Digne Les Bains, 19/07/2008
The heat has made a decided appearance in this year’s Tour de France and today’s stage has been another fast one. It has been a transitional day between the Pyrenees and the Alps which has proved wearing for everyone – due to the suffocating heat and above all, the high speeds that riders have kept throughout the stage.
Today didn’t present any surprises, we did the sprint which meant the team had to work hard to keep hydrated and they brought us water and liquid food, which is all we really felt like.
I found it quite a difficult day because of the high speeds although I didn’t have any major problems. All of us are already thinking about the Alps and tomorrow's stage, which is another important day in this race and we'll have to grab any good opportunities that present themselves.
Standing Tour '08 »»
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER THE 13TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
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| ® PHOTO: Tim de Waelle |
We’re beginning to feel the southern heat
Nimnes, 18/07/2008
Today’s stage has been a rather unconventional stage in this year’s Tour de France. The break of the day happened early on and relatively easily, although it has been fast throughout due to the wind, which has accompanied us during today's race.
You had to be on the lookout again in this stage and it was more wearing psychologically than it was physically. The heat of the South of France made it a hard and wearing stage for everyone participating in this race.
On a personal level, I didn’t have any problems. I simply had to be careful when the pack broke up and with falls so as not to lose time or to lessen my options in the lead up to the Alps, which we will reach this Sunday.
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER THE 12TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
It has been a very fast
and agitated stage
Narbonne, 17/07/2008
Today’s stage has been raced very quickly, but it has been manageable. The first part was raced along narrow roads with constant climbs and descents and that was really agitated. When the wind started to blow from the side and behind, it made the whole pack pick up the rhythm and it became a very fast and agitated stage. Above all, it has worn us out mentally.
This asides though, we have made it through the stage without any incidents. The team is still feeling really motivated and is doing well - moving onwards and upwards in this year’s Tour de France.
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER THE 11TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
Arvesen has given us reason to celebrate
Foix, 15/07/2008
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| Photo: Tim de Waelle |
Today’s stage was packed full of action. Firstly, it witnessed the first victory for the CSC-Saxo Bank team in this year’s Tour de France, won by my team mate, Kurt-Asle Arvesen.
This gave us reason to celebrate and has fuelled us with significant motivation for the second part of the Tour. Today has also witnessed riders who have been trying to break away from the pack, meaning that we have had to be on our guard. Even though it may seem paradoxical considering what happened two years ago, Óscar Pereiro is being closely watched at the moment and he cannot be allowed to break away and get ahead, as once a rider like him gets to the general classification, it is very difficult to get him off it.
We have therefore had to work at the front of the pack in order to win the stage and at the back to control Pereiro’s attempts to break away. This has made it a hard day's work but this has paid off and we have been compensated for it - things have worked out exactly as we had planned.
The audio version of this document is available in Spanish
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COMMENTS BY SASTRE ON THE REST DAY
A day of “rest”
Pau, 15/07/2008
The audio version of this document is available in Spanish
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After ten days of competition, we have reached a rest day. This a day that gives you time to do a lot of things. We have tried to keep the same routine as a competition day, but we exchanged the competition for a press conference with all the media present in the Tour de France.
In this press conference, evaluations are made about the ten stages that have already been raced and some are also made about the next eleven days leading up to our arrival in Paris. It is a day with plenty of interviews and these are mainly personalised, which means that you have to give the same answers to the same questions rather a lot. It is nice however, as the press like to personalise their interviews and to do each one according to their own style, which makes the day entertaining. It is also a very important day for the team and for riders who may feel a little overwhelmed by the press.
After the press conference, which lasted around an hour and a quarter, we had a bite for breakfast, got changed and went out for a little “bike ride". We did this to remember how you feel on the bike and how your legs can ache. Today we were accompanied by our sports directors, who joined us on their bikes. I hope that this outing will help them make decisions in a calmer way when they're sitting in the car.
After the training, which lasted an hour and a half and around 50 kilometres, we ate lunch and this was almost identical to the meals we have before or after races on competition days. Afterwards, we were awarded with the token prize of a little siesta in our beds. Normally we have to do this on the coach, as there are many journeys to the hotel after each stage.
Afterwards, as always, we had a massage, physiotherapist session and started to think about tomorrow’s stage.
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| Photo: Tim de Waelle |
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER THE 10TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
The whole team has done a spectacular and amazing job
Hautacam, 14/07/2008
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| Photo: Tim de Waelle |
Regarding today’s stage, I can simply say that the team’s work has been spectacular and amazing – really impressive. Every single rider in our team has sweated blood in today’s stage to get the best results. The feeling that we had after the stage was one of happiness and tranquility and I think that the strategy that our team planned out was really great.
We tried to put pressure on at the Tourmalet pass, with the advantage that Cancellara had in this climb. We knew that if Fabian reached the top, he would be able to do something important in the rest of the stage until reaching the foot of Hautacam. I think that he and Jens Voigt, who were backed by Arvesen and Gustov, have done a spectacular job, not forgetting of course the rest of the team who made sure that we were all supplied with food and water.
The strategy was then to take the final climb, making attacks from the bottom. Frank Schleck has done a wonderful job, he got ahead of Piepoli and Cobo, as everyone saw, and I think that the understanding has been pretty good. My mission was to keep an eye on Menchov and Evans and to avoid losing time against them. I think that we have fulfilled an important goal in the tenth stage of the Tour de France.
The audio version of this document is available in Spanish
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER THE 9TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
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| Photo: Tim de Waelle |
Riccó reveals his strength once again
Bagneres de Bigorre, 13/07/2008
The first Pyrenees stage has evolved pretty much as we had expected. Euskatel has been very active today and were perhaps seeking a stage victory for Samuel Sánchez who took risks on the last downhill stretch. This was not to be however, as Riccó once again revealed his strength at that very moment. With regard to the rest, I think riders like Evans, Menchov, Valverde, etc. have been saving their energy in the knowledge that tomorrow’s mountain stage will be a difficult one.
As for me, I have felt protected by my team again and it has been important for me to feel good in the mountain and to learn a little more about tomorrow’s stage. The team is feeling motivated and enthusiastic.
The audio version of this document is available in Spanish
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER THE 8TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
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| Photo: Tim de Waelle |
I’ve reached the terrain which suits me best with my options open
Toulouse, 12/07/2008
As of tomorrow, the race will hit the mountains and will take a very different course to that of the last few days. As we have seen in today's stage, the Tour is relentless and if you don’t pay attention, you can lose your ranking whenever the pack breaks up, from a fall and from any other circumstance that the race may throw at you.
It was a difficult stage at first and then became more manageable later on. It has also rained throughout today's stage and we have definitely felt the cold at some points. But nevertheless, the tension has helped us to endure everything and we have got through the stage without any falls, incidents and with our options pretty much open before tackling the terrain which, in theory, is where I am most comfortable.
The audio version of this document is available
in Spanish
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER THE 7TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
It has been the fastest and hardest stage of the Tour so far
Aurillac, 11/07/2008
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| © Photo: Tim de Waelle |
A break away was expected for today’s stage and even though we knew it would be difficult, I don’t think anyone thought that it could have become so complicated. I think that this has been the fastest and hardest stage in the Tour so far and it has again proved to be really wearing for the teams.
This stage has, however, given us the chance to see which teams have the potential to control the race and which teams can race it in a different way. Today when the pack broke up, it was hard for those riding ahead, but it was even harder for those coming up from behind. At the foot of the last uphill stretch leading to the finishing line, the riders were exhausted and almost without realising, a small group of us got ahead.
On a personal level, I think the race has been well controlled by my team mates throughout the stage and the wear and tear that I have felt has been that of a fast race but no more. I have got through another day without any incidents, without falls, without losing time and we are continuing to make steps onwards and upwards in this year’s Tour de France.
The audio version of this document is available in Spanish
COMMENTS BY CARLOS SASTRE AFTER THE 6TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
I am keeping ahead and waiting for harder and more decisive stages
Super-Besse, 10/07/2008
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This was the first stage with a mountain finish in this year's Tour de France and after the uncertainties before setting out, today has been raced quickly but it has been manageable. The terrain has been fairly difficult, with the rough Massif Central roads, which have worn down all the teams to some extent.
At the end, there was some uncertainty as to what would happen, who would control the race and who would make the race difficult to benefit their leaders. Caisse d’Epargne has been on top form again – they have made the race difficult and have taken control of this final part to benefit Valverde who didn’t manage a win in the end. In this climb though, we were cycling against a lot of headwind and that also made our work a little harder. Without this headwind, perhaps the race would have broken up a little more at the end.
On a personal level, I didn’t feel bad about the race. The only difficulty is the power of the riders in the final metres of this kind of finish, but I am still keeping ahead and don't have any other problems. I am now waiting for the harder and more decisive stages in the Pyrenees.
The audio version of this document is available in Spanish
COMMENTS BY SASTRE AFTER THE 5TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
“Tomorrow’s race will move in a different direction”
Châteauroux, 09/07/2008
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| Photo: Tim de Waelle |
The longest stage of the Tour de France has unfolded relatively quietly. This has been the first sunny day of the Tour, with a very pleasant temperature and in all honesty, it has been quite a relaxed day for the staff.
The final part, with the sprint, became more agitated and complicated as there was a lot of tension in the air. But nevertheless, we have got through it without any mishaps.
Tomorrow we will finally reach the mountains, where the race will start to move in a new direction and where it will start to become a little more organised, after the results of the time trial.
On a personal level, I am not familiar with tomorrow’s climb. All I know about it is what my boss (Riis) and my colleagues have told me. I know that it is a very demanding climb, which will not benefit me one hundred percent, but I think that I can keep ahead and this is the most important thing for tomorrow.
The audio version of this document
is available in Spanish
COMMENTS BY CARLOS SASTRE AFTER THE 4TH STAGE OF THE TOUR
“I feel satisfied with the time trial”
Cholet, 08/07/2008
Today’s time trial, as we already knew, was an incredibly demanding one. It was a very difficult race and, before starting, I honestly didn’t know what to expect or how much time I could lose.
The truth is that I have been really lucky to have my boss (Bjarne Riis) behind me in the car, who has helped me enormously in this time trial. I was also lucky enough to have the reference of Cancellara’s and Voigt's times as they both raced a very good time trial.
This helped me to lose time little by little and to finish with a result that I personally consider to be very positive. Losing by 1.15 to Cadel Evans who was my most important reference or by one minute to Denis Menchov is enough to make me feel satisfied.
Now I just have to wait for terrain that is a little more favourable for me, namely the mountains, to see how I feel during the climb.
The audio version of this document is
available in Spanish
COMMENTS BY CARLOS SASTRE AFTER THE 3RD STAGE OF THE TOUR
It’s been a very tough stage
Nantes, 07/07/2008
Today’s stage has turned out as expected. We thought that it was going to be really windy, with a crosswind for most of the time, and towards the end of the stage the wind was actually coming more from the side and behind, which meant that the last part was full of agitation and there was a lot of tension. As we’ve seen, some of the riders who are in the running for the lead of the general classification lost several all-important seconds.
Personally, I’ve found that being surrounded by a team of people like Cancellara, O’Grady, Arvesen, Voigt and the Schleck brothers, or any of my fellow riders in this race, has a very calming effect. It’s been a very tough stage for all the teams, but I got through it quite well.
We’re now another day into this Tour de France and feeling quite good about things. Tomorrow we have the first time trial, which will be the first important test for those of us who are focusing on the general classification of the race.
The audio version of this document is available in Spanish
COMMENTS BY CARLOS SASTRE AFTER THE 2ND STAGE OF THE TOUR
It’s been a very fast,
tense stage
Saint-Brieuc, 06/07/2008
As expected, the second stage of the Tour has been another very fast, tense stage in which we had the wind behind us and coming from the side almost all the way. The rain also made the conditions slightly more hazardous.
Otherwise, another day's racing has gone by without incident and I didn’t lose any time. I also managed to avoid the falls at the end of the stage, which could have been dangerous.
I’m feeling fairly positive about the race and I think that it will begin to take a different tack tomorrow, maybe becoming a bit more straightforward and organised.
The Audio version of this Document is only available in Spanish
COMMENTS BY CARLOS SASTRE AFTER THE 1ST STAGE OF THE TOUR
I’d like to congratulate Alejandro Valverde for his amazing win
Plumelec, 05/07/2008
After starting the race with a prologue for so many years, this Tour has begun with an atypical and very tense stage. The important thing is that we’ve had a day without any falls or mishaps. I’ve lost a few seconds -seven compared to Valverde and six in relation to the other twelve riders who came in before me-, but as there were no bonuses, it doesn’t matter too much. I’ve felt good throughout the whole stage and have been supported by a very strong team. I think we‘ve made an excellent start to this race.
I’d like to congratulate Valverde for his amazing win, and also his team because they’ve worked hard to win the stage and deserved it more than anyone. Alejandro is a strong leader for the Tour and I think that with these few seconds in hand he’ll hope to keep his lead until next Wednesday’s time-trial stage.
Other than that, the next two stages will be fairly tough, so I hope to get through them without incident.
The Audio version of this Document is only available in Spanish
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| Photo: Lars Ronbog |
A risky path 28/06/2008
All paths lead somewhere but this path is somewhat hard and laborious and has to be followed with both patience and prudence to finish well. That is how I would sum up the path that I have taken to reach this stage race that I have been preparing for so carefully and with so much dedication since last winter.
When you plan the season you have different options. I am lucky enough to have several excellent and versatile cyclists on my team, making my job easier and allowing me to fully concentrate on my goals. In other words, I have team mates who secure victories in the first part of the season, allowing me to take the first races of the year in a more relaxed way, preparing other races further into the season. The path I chose this year is a risky one, as my first major challenge is the Tour de France. Up until now, I have been racking up kilometres in training and even competing but without having responsibilities. So, now that we have reached this time of the season, everything is going to change. From now on and up until the end of the year, I have to remain at a very high level and I can only achieve this by being on top form both mentally and physically.
Riding kilometres and kilometres without achieving any victories creates insecurity and everyone starts to doubt you. Some find victories reassuring, others are not sure if exertions you made earlier are starting to catch up with you and others think that not fighting out the battles makes you lack the motivation to take on a major challenge with good chances of winning... All of this is simply speculation and every one of us perceive things differently. It is a good thing, in my opinion, that we all have very different ideas about how to reach a target. This not only creates more doubts but also increases the excitement and uncertainty of the races, the main reasons why fans of the sport get hooked on this race, in which each and every one of us who takes part really wants to shine.
Behind all the kilometres I have raced, there are so many people that make sacrifices for me, helping me every day whether in training, in races or at home. Without these people, all this would simply not be possible. Major goals can only be reached properly with stacks of patience and lots of sacrifices. I'm not only talking about sacrifices I make, but also those that my friend Félix makes - riding alongside me on his motorbike come wind and rain, shivering in winter at zero degrees and sweating away in 40 degrees heat. Thanks to the generosity of this person, I am seeing my dream come true – to reach the race that I have prepared so hard for in the best of conditions. I cannot go without mentioning all the people that provide me with their technology, experience and the best materials within my reach, so that I can achieve the best output from my work.
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