Förster satisfied

Robert Förster of Gerolsteiner finished sixth in stage one and is happy with the result. The German sprinter mentioned in his diary on radsportnews.com that it always takes him sometime to get into a rhythm in a stage race. He had the highest end speed, although that was too late. Förster acknowledged that his father would say "you are world champion in getting from 20th to fifth."

Like everyone else he was mightily impressed with the crowds and was happy that "despite the problems we have in our sport right now, there is still a lot of interest and enthusiasm."

After the ceremony on Tower Bridge and the 40-minute neutralized start, Förster and colleagues found it hard to find a spot to take a natural break with all the spectators and they had to go in to a quiet side street.

He spent a lot of time talking during the race, only waiting for the finale to try to sprint for the day's victory. One of the talk topics was that he weighed in as the heaviest rider at the medical check, with 87.5 kilograms. "All I can say is that I am sure the scale was off," joked the likeable rider in his diary.

Describing the end of the race, he revealed that "after the last mountain top it was full speed. Wrolich and Haussler worked super until 1500 metres to go. My friend 'Kraussi' (Sven Krauß) was cooked today, so he couldn't help. That happens sometimes," the sprinter showed no disappointment.

He then acknowledged that he started the sprint too late again, so he was boxed in a bit. But he didn't think the outcome was a surprise as "at the beginning of a Tour he [McEwen] is just outstanding."

Förster is hopeful for the next days as his form is there.