Tour Team News: Astana set targets for final week

Astana aiming for Polka Dot jersey with Fredrik Kessiakoff , General Classification with Jani Brajkovič and Team Classification

Today’s second rest day at the Tour de France has afforded the perfect chance to reflect on the 15 stages already completed and to look ahead to last five still to be negotiated. Among the questions to be answered over the remaining five stages are the final position of Jani Brajkovič, who currently lies eighth on GC, whether Kessiakoff can keep the polka dot jersey all the way to Paris, and whether Astana can improve on fourth place to get on the podium in the team classification.

“I am gutted that we have not won a stage so far, having played a major role in all of them,” said Giuseppe Martinelli. “Anyone following the race on television probably does not see the unwavering commitment of our riders to try and get in the right break and win a stage, but I can assure you that it is the truth. We have still got a few chances to grab that victory and we will give everything in the next stages to make it happen.”

“I feel pretty good,” added Alexandr Vinokurov. “Aside from the attack three days ago in the finish at Le Cap d’Agde, I have also tried to get in a few breaks. Now I have got three goals for the coming stages: to try and win one, and to help Brajkovič and Kessiakoff (right).

In Kiserlovski we have lost an important guy for the team classification, so it will be even more important for me to manage to get in a good breakaway, as well as helping out Kessiakoff in his defence of the polka dot jersey.

If I don’t get the chances, I will be working for Brajkovič.”

Speaking about his Tour so far and what might happen next, Astana’s GC rider Jani Brajkovič said: “I am having a good Tour; I was a bit unlucky in the Metz stage, where I lost more than two minutes due to the crashes, but it could have been worse. There are still three stages to go that are crucial for the general classification: the two in the Pyrenees and Saturday’s time trial – all of which will be really tough. I will be looking to stay with the leaders and then, depending on how I feel, I will see what I can do. I hope to gain a couple of positions but anyway I will be happy if I can manage to defend eighth place.”

Fredrik Kessiakoff remains the leading climber at the Tour and he gave us his views as he perused the profiles of the next two stages: “I am so happy with how it has gone so far, but the real battle for the King of the Mountains competition will happen tomorrow and on Thursday. Tomorrow’s stage from Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon will be the most important of the two. In the early part of the stage we will climb the Col d’Aubisque and the Tourmalet – two Hors Categorie climbs where there will be lots of points up for grabs. If I can manage to get up both of them in first place I will giving myself every chance to win the jersey. I do have a plan B for Thursday’s stage, but I hope I can get a good result tomorrow.

“There are three fearsome opponents – Rolland, Sorensen and Voeckler – chasing me for the jersey,” Kessiakoff continued. “That said, Rolland is doing well in the GC and I think that if he tries a long-distance escape it will be closed down by the other teams. In my opinion, Voeckler will be the main challenger I will face to win the classification.”