Following his third straight King of the Mountains title, Cofidis's David Moncoutie, can't help but continue into 2011. The rider from Provins, about 50 miles outside of Paris, confessed in a recent talk with La Depeche that he not only wants to continue racing, he wants to continue with big goals.
"I know I've often said in recent years that this is my last season, but I want to continue. The desire is still there. I love to train."
A stage win at Xorret del Cati and a third King of the Mountains title at the Vuelta along with the overall title and a stage at the Route du Sud would certainly make up a solid season for David Moncoutie, but he's not quite done with his 2010 campaign.
"I still have to finish this season with the highlight of the Gior di Lombardia on October 16th. I want to shine in this classic, which suits my qualities."
Like any good Frenchman, even one that has made it clear that the Tour de France does not define his existence, Moncoutie can hardly resist the pull of his national tour. Moncoutie is a lover of heat though, and it's not often that the Tour de France can lay claim to a lot of hotness, well, at least not like the Vuelta can. In 2010 though, Moncoutie witnessed a very hot Tour de France, and the allure of not only racing in his Grand Tour, but a brutally hot version of it makes for a compelling pull on the 35 year old.
"This year, I watched the race, and it was sunny and hot. I told myself that I could do well there. If I come back in 2011, I'd be on the offensive, trying to win a stage. The polka dot jersey - why not?"
Still, Moncoutie thinks of the Tour de France as the first part of a Grand Tour double, with the Vuelta to finish it off. With three mountains jerseys in succession, it would be difficult not to go for a fourth.
"To do the double, the Tour de France and the Tour of Spain, is a bit complicated. I won two stages at the Tour de France, but I did not shine long. To finish my career in style at the Tour de France…it's tempting."
It looks more than likely that if 2011 is in fact Moncoutie's final, he will be in action in July in France - and it won't be at the Route du Sud.