13:52 - Comments From Astana Directeur Sportif
Contacted by letour.fr before the start today, the manager of the Astana team emphasized the strategic importance of today’s stage: “Alberto is determined to make the best possible stage, because it will be decisive for the outcome of this Tour,” said Yvon Sanquer. There are two aspects to this day for Alberto. First of all, there is a strategy to defend his yellow jersey, which is the absolute priority. And then there is the aspect of winning this symbolic stage, with arrival the Tourmalet...”
13:54 - More From Yvon Sanquer
“If race conditions permit, Alberto will want to go write his name on this stage, Yvon Sanquer told LeTour.fr this morning. “It is certain that the way things are done is important, but there’s also the reality of the objective. There are many ways to win the Tour, it can be done with or without stage wins, with great difference or not… and so on. But ultimately, what is remembered is victory.”