<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>Monday, May 12th, 2003 <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

I don't think my form is good enough for the general classification. I hoped it would be, but I'm not so sure any more. I thought the first two days would bring the last 5% but I have to admit that my illness earlier this spring have drained my strength a bit.

The stage started out good for me. I was in a breakaway with 8 guys and we were going well. In no time we had 1.40 min. to the peloton. But after the Intergiro-sprint half of the guys didn't want to work any more and 15 kilometers later we were pulled back. I was hoping we could get a lead of two minutes before the category 2 climb. Then perhaps it would have been possible to take the stage.

Now it turned out quite differently. I lost nearly five minutes. If my form had been good it wouldn't have been a problem to sit in the front group even if I had been in the breakaway. I took a chance but I don't regret it.

Now I have to look for a stage win. I have my eyes on stage five which I think will suit me. The mountain is early in the stage and now that I've lost time maybe the peloton won't react if I go in another breakaway. Of course the legs have to be good and I need a good day. But if you don't try, you'll never find out.

Stay tuned for more Giro news on Roadcycling.com.

J?rgen Bo Petersen

Team Fakta