Samuel Sánchez of the Euskaltel-Euskadi team is getting ready for the first day in the high mountains. The Basque team is always motivated in the Pyrenees, as it is close to home for them. Many Basque fans are expected again to cheer on the orange team.
The team already warmed up today, with Rubén Pérez in the break of the day. The six riders were only caught with three kilometers to go. The stage shaped up as the team's leader Sánchez had predicted. "The day developed as it was written on paper. There was a break, the sprinters' teams worked and in the end it was a sprint. It was the perfect script and there were no incidents."
That latter notice was an important factor in a Tour that has been marred by crashes and weird incidents with motorbikes, cars and spectators. "It was practically the first stage in the Tour where we didn't have any crash - that was the best news of the day," Sánchez said.
Tomorrow, for the first day in the Pyrenees, the peloton won't be bunched up for long, decreasing the risk of crashes due to the large peloton. "There will be attacks; I don't think we will just be looking at each other. There are some who need to launch from afar, to make up lost time and to get rid of some rivals."
After the flatter stages, even when ridden at high speeds, the switch to the mountains can be tricky. "You have to be attentive and see how your body reacts," Sánchez explained. "It is the first day in the mountains and the most important is to try to stay fluid." For Euskaltel-Euskadi, there is always extra motivation so close to home. "If you can fight for the stage victory, all the better!"
But Sánchez cautions that despite being a climber, it doesn't automatically qualify him as a stage contender. "You have to keep in mind that we are coming from flat or medium mountain stages to the high mountains and your body resents it - that switch is difficult."
One day off can still be compensated for - if the time loss can be held to a minimum. "There are still the Pyrenees and the Alps to go. The most important is to stay consistent."
Euskaltel-Euskadi has not often won in the Pyrenees, but when they do, it is a big fiesta for the team and fans. "From the three stages in the Pyrenees, for us the most sentimental is the one to Luz Ardiden [stage 12 on Thursday]. That is where [Roberto] Laiseka won and for the team it is a special summit." Laiseka took the first-ever Tour de France win for Euskaltel-Euskadi on July 22, 2001. Laiseka was ahead of Wladimir Belli, Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong.
There will be plenty of supporters waving Basque flags on Thursday. "It is an important stage for us - the first in the Pyrenees and I think the road will be covered in orange jerseys." It is the color of the Euskaltel-Euskadi team and the Basque fans are known for their cheering. "The fans applaud each and every cyclist."
Sánchez hopes for a good day in the mountains. "If a win can be celebrated it is all the better, but in the Tour the fight for it is tough." More than a stage win, Sánchez hopes to end one place better than last year in Paris, where he missed the final podium by one spot.
Alberto Contador has many opponents who want to topple him, but he can count on his Basque friend. "We talked about it and I told him that when he attacks and I can follow, I'd be delighted to collaborate. We both need to make up time and I imagine that we both would be happy to gain ground over our rivals."
Sánchez is 20th, 2'35 behind Cadel Evans, Contador sits in 16th spot, 1'41 behind the Australian.