By Hedwig Kröner in Grenoble
Jens Voigt (CSC)
Will you attack in the yellow jersey? "Oh no that's not for me. The yellow jersey traditionally rides defensively to save energy and everything else is up to the teams who want to win the race."
Ivan Basso (CSC)
What's the plan? "I feel good but we have to see how it goes later today."
Can Voigt defend his jersey? "It's possible. He's in very good form, so it's possible."
When will you take over the jersey? "I don't know [laughs] I hope I can do a good week next week."
Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile)
"I feel good now that the mountains are starting. I'm in good shape."
Have you got a strategy for today? "What strategy? As usual it will be attacking. Jan feels good, Andreas too, so we are very motivated."
Will you attack on the first climb? "No, it's too far from the finish."
Michael Boogerd (Rabobank)
Can Rasmussen keep the polka-dots? "I think so, I hope so. He's got it now and he's in super shape."
How about the yellow jersey? "He can always try. He's very close, and maybe he can make it. The yellow jersey would be nice, even for one day. It's possible."
Alberto Contador (Liberty Seguros)
Contador was sporting a scraped elbow from his crash on Sunday. "The injuries from Sunday's crash aren't too bad. It could be much worse because Gonzalez de Galdeano abandoned.
"We have to get in breakaways today but the only the bigger ones. At the end of the stage, we will meet again, and to see what the best thing is to do.
"Roberto [Heras] is very focused, has a lot of self confidence and knows his ability. Today's going to be the moment of truth for all and also for Heras. He will be in front for sure and I will be with him to help him in everything."
Michael Rogers (Quick.Step)
"I'd like to finish with the front guys today. I've been climbing well the last couple of days so I want to move up on GC."
Iban Mayo (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
"Today's a very important day. We will see who can stay in front. Everything will happen on the last climb but even the first part of the course will be raced very fast. I feel good, I don't have any health problems so I hope everything goes well for me."
Alejandro Valverde (Illes Balears)
"Today, above all, I have to try to be in front with Paco [Mancebo]. I don't know about what attacks will be going on the first climb, but there will surely be plenty of attacking on the second."
Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis)
"I want to save as much energy as I possibly can for next Friday [Stage 13]. Maybe I can get some kind of result there.
"I'm not obsessed with the green jersey. I'm just taking the race day by day."
