Quick step rider and time trial specialist Michael Rogers reports he is in prime condition for this years big cycling event the Tour de France. After nearly winning the 9 stage Tour de Suissie Rogers is confident and feeling strong as he enters into his prime cycling years. Rogers is the team leader for QuickStep and claims he can “hang with the best”, he will have his chance to prove just that this coming Saturday as the world watches the 12 mile time trial.
QuickStep plans on making their mark this year and with Rogers having an exceptional year this year it is possible he could finish in the top 10 as the tour enters into Paris near the end of July. When asked about the opening prologue time trial and his chances Rogers responded with confidence … “I suppose in the past, the Prologue in the Tour was usually 7 or 8 kilometers and it normally takes me 10km to warm up. 20km is certainly a better distance for me. I hope to catch up in the last 10 what I lose in the first 10. There could also be a lot of wind coming from the ocean, so it’s going to be interesting.”
Of course with the opening day being long enough for a true time trialist to do well Rogers could be wearing yellow on the first real stage Sunday. Of course Rogers understands for him to truly do well “overall” in the tour he will need to perform well in the mountains as well as in the time trials. Rogers commented… “I know quite well the stage to Courchevel and also the day after in Briançon, there’s the Télégraphe, the Galibier, the Madeleine. They’re all hard, long climbs and obviously, through the Alps, there are a few hard days in a row. That’s where I’m looking for a good performance.
Like so many other cyclists Rogers looks forward to the three week race that starts Saturday July 2, 2005. Personally I think he has excellent chances to finish in the top 5 on Saturday, as for the overall competition is anyones guess (outside of Armstrong of course).
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