Enlarge Photo
CSC team rider Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland seen in Bern in this June 22, 2008...
Sat, Jul 5 07:38 AM
By Julien Pretot
BREST, France (Reuters) - Although there will be no prologue for the first time since 1967, Fabian Cancellara could still take the opening stage of the Tour de France raced over 197.5 kms from Brest to Plumelec on Saturday.
The Swiss, a time trial specialist, won last year's prologue in London over 7.9 kms but is also at ease with longer distances.
"Given my results since the beginning of the season, this stage seems to suit me very well," the CSC rider told a news conference on Friday.
"It would be very motivating to end the stage with the yellow jersey."
Cancellara showed his credentials when he took the seventh and ninth stages of the Tour of Switzerland over 171 and 168 kms respectively last month.
Three Spaniards and an Italian will start the stage as prospective winners.
Liquigas rider Filippo Pozzato, Caisse d'Epargne leader Alejandro Valverde, along with three-times world champion Oscar Freire and his Rabobank team mate Juan Antonio Flecha, are expected to be a threat in the uphill finish of the stage.
Valverde, who is targeting a podium finish in Paris, said that taking the yellow jersey early in the race could prove too much of a responsibility for his team.
"It is true that this stage suits me well but all the riders will be in top form and it could be a huge responsibility to have to defend the yellow jersey after the first stage," the Spaniard said on Friday.
"However, taking the yellow jersey after the first day would be fabulous."
