Heinrich Haussler was surprised how large the team's presentation was, being in the defending champion's team. (Image credit: Sirotti)
Although he wasn't able to help his teammate Thor Hushovd when he took the stage in Barcelona on Thursday, Australian-German rider Heinrich Haussler is a happy man at this Tour de France.
It's the third French Grand Tour for the Cervélo TestTeam rider, and although he has been one of the revelations this spring - notably finishing second in both Milano-Sanremo and the Tour of Flanders - he is still content being "only" a teammate for his leaders at the race.
After the team time trial in Montpellier, Cyclingnews asked Haussler what exactly his role was at this Tour. "I'm really here for Thor [Hushovd], to help him to win a stage and get the green jersey. I'm not his last lead-out man - that's Brett Lancaster. I am here to learn. I'm only 25 and I'm not that experienced in leading a sprint out."
The rider who already has stages of the Vuelta, the Dauphiné Libéré and Paris-Nice on his palmarès, is thus working for his team leaders Hushovd and Carlos Sastre. "We've started out this Tour rather calm, concentrating on the team time trial. Now, we'll have to see how much back we are on the favourites and give it full gas - for Carlos in the overall classification, but also in the sprints for Thor."
Asked if he was going to look for his own chances, Haussler said, "Maybe in one or two years - maybe then the team will ride for me."
The 25-year-old knew that even though he was young, he wasn't a rookie anymore, either. But he still maintained that a slow build-up for the Tour was the better option. "I still really need to learn a lot. I don't have a problem with it. Lots of people ask me when I will be allowed to ride for myself - but it doesn't matter to me now. That's alright."
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