Arvesen Olympic-bound with Tour form

By Gregor Brown in Saint Étienne

Norway's Kurt-Asle Arvesen is heading to the Olympics with a stage victory under his belt and the experience of defending the Tour de France leader's jersey. "It has been my best Tour de France ever," the 33 year-old Arvesen told Cyclingnews on Thursday.

Arvesen, the Norwegian road champion and winner of the E3 Prijs this spring, made his own mark on the Tour winning the 11th stage to Foix. On Wednesday's crucial mountain stage to Alpe d'Huez he led CSC over the Col du Galibier and Col de la Croix de Fer for Carlos Sastre and Fränk Schleck, alongside Fabian Cancellara.

"The stage win and this form I have now allows me to give everything to the team. That is the best I can ask for," he continued.

He will take a short break before travelling to Beijing. "I will do San Sebastián and then I go to the Olympics."