US TT Champ David Zabriskie (Team CSC) (Image credit: Sirotti)
David Zabriskie got the confirmation of his participation in the 94th Tour de France last week. The American, who briefly held the famed Maillot Jaune in 2005, took time to talk with Cyclingnews' Gregor Brown the day before his flight to London for this year's Grand Départ.
David Zabriskie has been quietly building towards the 2007 Tour de France with his training mates, including compatriot and Tour teammate Christian Vande Velde, at home in Spain since the finish of the Dauphiné Libéré. "I have been taking it easy this week with training," noted the 28 year-old.
Many might expect a rider like Zabriskie, who won the 2005 Tour opening time trial and wore the Maillot Jaune for four days, would be getting a little nervous for his return to the world's largest race, but instead he's calm, and well organised with his program. "I have done a couple long but easy rides to just spin the legs fast," he explained in a soft voice. "Thursday and Friday we have sponsor things - medical checks, and all that stuff."
The winner of the opening day two years ago has not yet tested the opening route in London. "I hope to see the course [on Saturday before the late prologue start]," he said. "I will ride it as many times possible. Dave Millar told me it has maybe one turn where you will have to feather the breaks a little bit, but other than that there are wide-open boulevards and it is pretty straight forward."
