you have any support from teammates?

It?s difficult to have the team support when most of the team is based around the GC guys, but I?m happy with that. I know how to handle myself, I think, so I?ll just have to take advantage of the other teams.

You took part in the 2003 Tour de France where you placed third in stage 12. How have you changed as a rider since 2003?

I guess every year I get a little more experienced and stronger both in the legs and head.

This year, the field of sprinters appears very strong, and many are reaching top form for the Tour, with Thor Hushovd performing well in
Dauphine Libere and Robbie McEwen winning a stage in the Tour de Suisse. How do you plan to tackle the other sprinters in the Tour and what advantages do you have compared with the other sprinters?

It?s difficult to say. No one sprinter is the same, but all of them including myself can get the job done on any given day. So I don?t think I can really say I?ve got any advantages.

With sprint king Alessandro Petacchi not taking part in the Tour, many analysts don?t expect the Fassa Bortolo team to control the peloton like they usually do. How do you expect this to affect the sprinter stages and their outcomes?

It won?t. There are always teams keen to take control of the race.

In which Tour de France stages should Roadcycling.com readers expect to be thrilled by your performances?

For sure not the mountain stages...can?t get more specific than that.

There are now only a few days left before the Tour start. How do you plan to spend these days?

I?m still training, obviously, and besides that just taking it easy.

The whole team here at Roadcycling.com thanks you for taking the time to talk to us at this busy time of year and wishes you great success in the 2005 Tour de France.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com as we continue our 2005 Tour de France coverage ...