Iban Mayo: I feel better than before

By Monika Prell

Iban Mayo says he feels good at his new team, Saunier Duval - Prodir, even if it is taking time to adapt to his new predominately yellow jersey after seven years in the Euskaltel-Euskadi orange.

"I took a look at myself and I looked strange, even more when I saw my former Euskaltel teammates," he confessed to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo. "Some mates did almost not recognize me, but that is normal after so many years with the same jersey."

The 29-years-old Basque added that in his former team he had too much pressure but feels more relaxed in his new team. "From time to time it was too much for me [at Euskaltel-Euskadi]. Saunier Duval is supporting me. They are looking after me and I'm a bit more relaxed because there is more than one leader and the ambiance is much more relaxed," Mayo told Spanish newspaper AS.

A lot is expected from the Basque rider in 2007, even though he will share responsibilities with Gilberto Simoni, David Millar, David Cañada, Koldo Gil, José Ángel Gómez Marchante and Leonardo Piepoli. Mayo will ride the Giro d'Italia, but only as preparation for the Tour de France. There, Mayo intends on helping Gilberto Simoni and has eyes on taking a stage win, but says he wont "be decisive in the general classification."

Talking about the Tour de France, the 29 year-old rider said: "If I had to choose between finishing 10th in the general classification and winning a stage, I would choose the last option. You always want more and I believe that I [will] still be more successful."

Mayo believes he will always struggle in time trials, which have hampered his efforts in recent years.