38-year-old former Green Jersey winner, Robbie McEwen, already has four fourth place finishes at the 2010 Tour de France. Following his most recent fourth place finish this afternoon in Reims, the winner of the Trofeo Mallorca said that he had more, but the injury was holding him back.
"There was more, without the injury, there was definitely a better sprint in me."
McEwen's ailments stem from the injuries he sustained on the stage to Spa. "I have injuries to my elbow, hip, and groin. I have a lot of trouble with my right leg and cannot sprint with all of my power. Had this been a different race, I'd be going home."
McEwen is in a tight spot though. The coming stages shouldn't put a lot of stress on most of the field, as they are flat to rolling, traditional first week stages, but these stages are the stomping grounds of the sprinters, so McEwen has to ride like he's healthy.
"I really need rest to recover, but right now are the most important days for a sprinter. I have to get involved and make the best of it."
Looking back at today's stage, McEwen was not surprised by another latter half of his thirties rider, Alessandro Petacchi. "Petacchi has always been quick. He hasn't surprised me."
"I felt that he went from a long way out and actually led out the sprint perfectly for me, but I just didn't have the power."
Robbie McEwen took his last Grand Tour stage victory in 2007 at the Tour de France and last took the Maillot Vert in 2006. At first glance, it looks like his best years are behind him, but McEwen has been dogged by injury over the last couple of seasons. A stage win still looks to be a possibility, and with his consistency, a shot at Green could be in the cards as well, something that McEwen admits.
"My goal continues to be to take it day by day. The Green Jersey does play in my mind. I'm pretty close, and there will be more from me in the coming days."