Prologue rider reactions

Image 1 of 3

David Millar (Saunier Duval):

"In spite of the prologue's results, I'm optimistic. It was a nice day and I really gave it everything to clock the best time. But Cancellara was outstanding. Pity Wiggins couldn't make it in the end, because he was my favourite in case victory eluded me."

Iban Mayo (Saunier Duval):

"I felt OK all through the race today, but it's obvious I've been over one month off the road. I had to make a considerable effort. From now on, I'll try and do my best over the first week but I won't let this to become an obsession. I need to be cautious and build up the physical stamina I'll need in the hilly stages. I hope I'll reach these stages healthy enough so that I can fight for a stage win. After having notched up a stage victory in the Giro, I'd love to make it here."

Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital):

One rider looking to finish close to the top of the list was sprinter Daniele Bennati, but instead he conceded 33 seconds to Cancellara - a margin that will be difficult to make up in the bonus sprints. Bennati had this experience once already this year in the Tour de Suisse, where he was unable to make up just a handful of seconds on the reigning World Champion. "I'm not satisfied at all," Bennati commented. "I didn't feel the right sensation and especially in the final part I couldn't change the pace. I would have liked to lose less than ten seconds. However, the positive thing is that in the sprinters group only Hushovd was ahead of me."

Vladimir Karpets (Caisse d'Epargne):

After finishing in 6th position, 26" behind Cancellara, Karpets said, "I did not get a bad time, but I think that Klöden at first and then Cancellara, really had big ones. I started quite early, and that allowed me to lead the classification for a long time, but it was not sufficient. I am very motivated for this Tour de France and I hope I will be able to do good things here."

Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne):

"It is always possible to do better, but that is not bad at all. That type of time trial is not really adapted to my characteristics because what you needed was pure force. But I think I must be happy with my time today, most of all if you consider the first part of my season that was not so good! The most important thing is that I had very good sensations. I still need that little something to fight with the very first, but I believe and I hope that at will arrive at 100% very soon."

Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne):

Although he finished 32nd, 43" behind Cancellara, Valverde was satisfied with the result. "It is not an exceptional one, that's true, but it is neither a bad one and I feel personally satisfied. I had good sensations and I immediately found the rhythm of the race and that is the most important thing as for now. With the exception of Klöden who really did a great time trial, the gaps between the other favourites are not so important and we don't have to forget that we still have three long weeks ahead!"

Carlos Sastre (CSC):

"The stage today has been spectacular as far as the pursuit of the public. The streets of London were filled with people," observed Sastre. "The race against the clock today did not go well... but I feel content with the result." He continued, "For the others, I think that it has been a beautiful day for the team with the victory of Cancellara. I believe that the race has begun very well for all of the CSC team."

Andreas Klöden (Astana):

"I am very happy. All went as I expected. It was nevertheless important for me to get as much time as I could to my direct adversaries in the race. Now I wish to concentrate on the following stages."

Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana):

"I am not a prologue specialist, even if I felt better and better during the stage. The result of Andreas Klöden doesn't surprise me. The Tour has just begun, I'm not worried about my today's result. All this public on the course, it was just fantastic. It's the best publicity for cycling here in Great Britain, even if we are staying only two days."