Of late, Armstrong has been joined by teammates, Jos? Azevedo, Manuel Beltran and Jose Luis Rubiera at l?Alpe d?Huez.  He explained, "The Alpe d'Huez occupies a lot of my thoughts. It's a physical, technical, and tactical challenge, and I don't want to neglect anything. I'm going when the weather is good since it's a mountain that I know well, but not perfectly."

Whilst the challengers are preparing, others are beginning to declare their ambition for this July.  After his success this year in events such as Gent-Wevelgem, Belgian Tom Boonen has publicly stated that, ?I want to win 2 or 3 stages, or if that doesn?t work, try for the green jersey in
Paris,? he said in an AFP report.  Does he worry about any of the other challengers for this prize?  The recent winner of four stages in the Giro d?Italia perhaps?  Not our Tom.  Pettachi ?shouldn?t pose any problems,? he declared - now that?s confidence for you!

Keep the thoughts and comments coming in to me at ian@roadcycling.com.

As always, till next week, you know which side to keep it.

Ian