Monday, July 3 marked Australian sprint king Robbie McEwen's ninth Tour de France stage victory. Less than half an hour elapsed since taking the stage win before the Davitamon-Lotto rider was at the winner's press conference - but as Brecht Decaluwé found out, he's already looking for more!
Q: This is your ninth victory; has this victory a special meaning to you?
Robbie McEwen: Every stage you win in the Tour de France is special. This is the last one, but I remember every single one of them in a different way. Today is a very special one, because it's the most recent one.
Every year you have to prove yourself again and again. And you can't forget the fact that I've just turned 34, they often say that when sprinters get older, they get slower. I haven't slowed down yet, so that's a good sign. The stage was nice because, the way the team worked very well together. It was a very tough final with those small hills. I survived the stage very well and had plenty of speed. I think that what makes it special is that every year you start with a big zero on the scoreboard. You have to come here and you have to score. There's that pressure to get that stage win; now I've got it and that takes a bit pressure away. We can go for more!
Q: What happened in the sprint with Hushovd?
RM: I've already spoken with Thor since the finish. Thor and I already watched to the video together. Thor came with his front wheel against my left foot.
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When I look to the video and what I remember of the sprint, I started on the wheel of O'Grady and he was behind Zabel. Then I went passed both of them. Because O'Grady passed Zabel on his left, I needed to go even more to the left. From there I road a direct line to the finish line as the road curbed just a little bit to the right. With about hundred metres to go I felt something against my foot and I pulled back to the right. That proved to be Hushovd. We're still friends, no problem.
