Eddy Merckx has said that he doesn’t know if Thomas Voeckler can win this Tour, but he is clear on what his performance has meant over the past two and a half weeks. “He was very impressive in this Tour de France,” he told VeloNation at today’s start in Pinerolo. “Also in the Pyrenees he did well. We will see today – today has much higher climbs, the altitude is higher. He is the revelation of the Tour de France.”
The Frenchman has stirred up national interest on the basis of how he performed in this race. Previously seen as an attacking rider who would put it together on selected days, he has shown a consistency that not even he expected. As a result, he continues to lead the race with just three crucial stages remaining.
Merckx is believes that the next two days will decide the winner of the Tour, recognising that the gaps created will determine whether or not the riders in question have a chance in the final time trial. He believes that the Schleck brothers and Contador simply must attack today, particularly to gain time on Cadel Evans.
He added that Alberto Contador has once again the legs he showed in the Giro d’Italia, thus setting things up for a stirring battle on the final climb.
Click on the video below to hear Merckx’s opinion on today’s stage plus the race contenders.