Reported by John Trevorrow
Cadel Evans (Davitamon-Lotto)
Cadel, how were the legs today after yesterday's workout? "A bit sore, but not too bad. Got a bit hard towards the end, but I just had to keep going. Credit Agricole didn't want to chase. They weren't worried about their classification, just about Robbie. A couple of our places on GC were of concern, so we had to chase and once they started chasing, whoa, it wasn't so easy.
Big day in the time trial tomorrow? "Tomorrow - we will see what we can do.
You have done a few good ones on the past? "Every now and then I seem to be able to do a good one, so tomorrow I will see what I can do. Third week on a tour is always different.
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto)
"I survived, I actually felt pretty good today. No problems on the climbs, even when Discovery rode pretty hard on the Cat 2, when the break as away, I was still there, it was OK. We just had to chase at the end for Cadel's GC because Pereiro was away, again, and he was going to be a threat so, with Gerolsteiner and Illes Balears, we pulled some time back on 'em, and then I had a little sprint at the end. Bit of a practice for Sunday.
Start quotes
Luke Roberts (Team CSC)
How are the legs this morning? "I will know very shortly. It was a great out there yesterday, it was just a shame after trying to get in a break for a few days I picked the one that suited me least.
"It will be a tough day today. I am sure it will be on from the start and I will probably be back on bottle duty, today."
Your role with CSC must be fairly diverse? "Yeah, that's right. Sometimes it is loading up the pockets with bidons, other times chasing down dangerous breakaways, occasionally like yesterday, getting up the road and of course, my main job, when I am not doing any of the above, is to look after Ivan. Riding along side of him, keeping him out of the wind, making sure he gets the easiest ride possible."
Paris is only a couple of days away, looks like you will be definitely be finishing your first TdF? "Yes, it's just been awesome, even better than I could have imagined."
Simon Gerrans (Ag2r)
Simon, nearly there only one hard ride to go. You won't be able to keep saying only one day at a time anymore. "You're kidding! There are two hard days before the final day. Today is really tough and if you got spat early, you would have trouble making the time cut, so I will say, one day at a time."
Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis)
How are you feeling this morning, Stu? "Yep, a bit better, I feel okay actually."
A pretty tough day coming up today... "Yeah, it's been really easy over the past two weeks."
Well, I mean last chance to close that gap and get close enough before Paris. "Yeah, I plan to give it a real bash today and it has to be hard enough to get rid of Thor, Robbie and for me to finish high up in the stage. It's not over until the fat lady sings or until you are interviewed by John Trevorrow."
Robbie McEwen (Davitamon-Lotto)
Chance for a stage win today? "Don't think it will be a sprint finish today. It's a hard day with a Cat 2 and sure to be aggressive again. There will be breaks going all day."
So your battle for green is over? "Well, I have been saying that for over a week. Without that disqualification I would be in front. Evidently, it was a decision of one man and it still doesn't seem fair that there is no way to appeal."
