By Gregor Brown in Bagnères de Bigorre
Spain's Carlos Barredo is not living up to his expectations in the 95th Tour de France due to a cold that has forced him to take antibiotics and "rest" days instead of helping Quick Step captain Stijn Devolder.
"To arrive," said the 27 year-old from Asturias, Spain, to Cyclingnews of his goal in the Pyrénées. Barredo, winner of a stage in this year's Paris-Nice, believes that the cold could have come as a result of the first stormy days of the Grand Départ in Brittany.
"I finished off with my, antibiotics yesterday [Saturday], but I was had no power in the stage. I could not follow the group when it was going 40 kilometres per hour on the flat."
Barredo felt better Sunday morning at the start of stage nine in Toulouse's Place du Capitole. He hoped that he could get through the two mountain stages of Bagnères de Bigorre and Hautacam and then help Devolder throughout the rest of the Tour de France.
"I will ride these two days at a relaxed pace and hope to feel better after the rest day. The team told me to take today and tomorrow calm, to arrive. If I use my force I will not arrive in Paris."
