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Interviews
Floyd Landis – “I’ve learned to fight for what you want…â€
He had the yellow jersey after 10 stages and surrendered it two days later but Floyd Landis knew that he had a win in his legs. He regained the overall lead at L’Alpe d’Huez and lost it after a spectacular collapse the next day. But the third American to win the Tour de France now understands that to get what you want, you have to never give in.
“It was very nice to hear the star-spangled banner being played in my honor. I’ve heard it said that I had a great comeback but I’ll let other people be the judge of that. I’m proud of the way my team raced and pleased with how I rode. It was probably more exciting to watch on television than it was for us. It was a bit stressful at times.
“I’ve imagined winning this race quite a few times. I was fortunate enough to be here a few times with Lance and see how he did it and that helps but it’s quite an experience to do it myself.
“The best case scenario (following the planned hip surgery) is that I won’t miss any time racing. I didn’t plan on doing any more races this year so hopefully I’ll get my problems out of the way and I’ll take it one day at a time after that but I think I’ll be all right.
“More than anything I’ve learned to fight for what you want at this race. Like most things in life, most people don’t go for three weeks without having one bad day but you shouldn’t give up. You get up the next day and do the best you can.â€
Robbie McEwen – “The toughest Tour I’ve ever ridden…â€
Robbie McEwen was beaten by last year’s green jersey winner on the final day but he was in complete control of the points classification. The Australian won three stages and, over two weeks after his last victory, claimed his third victory in the sprinters competition at the Tour de France.
“It could have gone a little bit better today but I just didn’t have the legs. I lost a bit of speed on the last turn and I didn’t have the power to hold of Hushovd; he was really strong.
“Three stage wins this year, three green jerseys and I’m happy with that. If I could have signed up for that before the Tour had started I would have been surprised.
“I’m 34 but I understand that winning is all about what you’re willing to sacrifice. It depends on your body but each year I have been able to hold the same level or even improve a little. This year, I think I was as fast as ever. I’m very focused and it’s great to get the green jersey again.
“This Tour was one of the toughest I’ve ever ridden. It was not just the heat and the conditions but the way it was raced; it was really aggressive. There was no absolute control like in the Armstrong years and it made for a really hard race. Everyone suffered a lot and I think we’re all glad it’s over.â€
Thor Hushovd – “I was thinking of this victory in the Pyrenees…â€
The winner of the prologue finished the same Tour in the finest way possible. Thor Hushovd came from behind the leader of the points classification in the final meters to claim the stage every sprinter dreams of…
“It’s true that I won the prologue and finished the same Tour with a victory on the Champs-Elysees, but it feels like it’s unbelievable! It’s a stage I’ve wanted to win for a long time. I’ve been in all sorts of states during this year’s Tour. I’ve been hurt on the arm (in stage one), the disqualified which put me out of contention for the green jersey… but I knew there were other things to race for. I was thinking of this victory in the Pyrenees and it helped me to get over the big mountain passes.
“In the last kilometer there was a little attack but Sebastian Hinault chased it down and I found myself on the wheel of McEwen who I was able to pass in the final meters. Today I was stronger than him, it’s impossible to end the Tour in a better way.â€
Damiano Cunego – “I put all what I’ve got into this…â€
In 2004 a young hope emerged from the shadow of an accomplished team leader and won his national tour. The Giro d’Italia champion from two years ago claimed the lead in the youth classification in the final day of racing in the mountains and held onto his advantage in the final time trial.
“I refused to concede to Marcus Fothen in the time trial. I wanted to prove that over the course of a three week race great thing can happen if you try. It’s important to try all the time even in events that are not my specialty and I didn’t finish with any thing to spare. In the time trial I gave everything I had and apparently I had a little more in my legs than Fothen and that ensured I’d win the white jersey.
“I’ll cherish the memory of these days, especially the day to L’Alpe d’Huez when I finished second and the time trial in which I refused to give in. I gave it my all and next year I’ll return to try again but first I want to focus on winning the Giro again.â€
Mickael Rasmussen – “It’s the highest achievement you can get as a climber…â€
For the second successive year, the polka-dot jersey has been won by Mickael Rasmussen. He knew what was required to claim the climbing prize but in 2006 he just had to wait a bit longer before he could chase his main objective at the Tour de France.
“It’s one thing to set an objective in November but another thing to make it become a reality in July. When it does happen, of course it’s a great relief and it gives me huge satisfaction. I hope the day I won the stage in La Toussuire will remain in cycling history for a long time. I know I’ll remember it for a long time.
“To be up there on the podium is the same feeling as last year. It’s the highest achievement you can get as a climber and although I came in as the favorite for the jersey this year, but given the course it was very difficult to make the selection early. It wasn’t until the middle of the third week that I got the jersey but I took the chances when they were presented.â€
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Sunday 23 July 2006 
