At 24-years-old, Roman Kreuziger heads into this year's Tour de France with hopes of bettering last year's 9th place overall finish. 2010 has been a classy season already for the Liquigas rider complete with an overall win at the Giro di Sardegna and a multitude of top placings including 3rd at Paris-Nice, 8th at the Volta a Catalunya, 5th at Amstel Gold, and recently 16th at the Tour de Suisse. Kreuziger missed out on the first stage time trial victory at the Tour de Suisse by less than a second to time trial World Champion, Fabian Cancellara.
Kreuziger heads to the Netherlands and the Tour de France's Grand Depart on July 3rd as co-leader of the Liquigas squad along with Giro winner, Ivan Basso.
Kreuziger has enjoyed a solid progression over the last two years at the Tour de France. He was 12th in 2008, 9th in 2009, and he hopes to begin his quest to improve on that in less than two weeks time.
"I want to improve over last year. With Ivan Basso at my side, after the great Giro d'Italia he has done, we'll see how far I can get, but I am convinced that I can improve on that ninth place, and with Ivan, we can help each other in the overall standings."
Kreuziger is not concerned about sharing leadership of the team with Basso. In fact, the young Czech feels that it will be an advantage for the two racers and the team.
"I see it as an advantage for us to race together. We have a good relationship, and we get along on the road. We can help each other a lot. Ivan is very consistent, and we can work together at key moments and share attacks. This year we have a goal: attack. We don't just want to follow wheels."
As for Basso, Kreuziger feels that the two-time Giro champion will be up for the challenge of two Grand Tours back to back.
"He is very, very motivated. He has maintained his focus and trained hard. After his great Giro, he did not feel overly tired. I think he will do a great Tour. Obviously, it is difficult to go for two races like the Giro and the Tour, but he will be strong."
It wouldn't be a pre-Tour chat without a question on the course. Kreuziger agrees with all of the top favorites: "It will be complicated. The stages in Belgium will be dangerous. The Alps will not be decisive, but will be an important test, then there are the Pyrenees. They come right after a rest day, and that will make them even harder."
The development of the young general classification threat has continued perfectly over the last five years, all of which have been spent with the Liquigas organization. For 2011 and beyond, however, Kreuziger admits to considering a move to a different team. Omega Pharma-Lotto has been the name mentioned the most. Some reports have it that Kreuziger has already signed the contract, but that's a rumor he flatly denies - he doesn't rule out a future signature though.
"I have been with this team for five years, and I have always liked it. I have one more year on my contract with Liquigas, but it is not confirmed that I will stay here, or that I will go to Omega Pharma. It is all very open. It's not difficult for me to find a place here, but next year, I would like a change of scenery in order to grow."