By Anthony Tan and Brecht Decaluwé in Montélimar
Hushovd taking it easy
Cyclingnews caught up with Thor Hushovd at the start of the stage today in Montélimar. The 2005 maillot vert winner was first asked about the arm which was cut in the stage one sprint and if it was giving him any more trouble. "No, I have no problems any more with it," was his response.
He was then asked if his Credit Agricole team might try to control the stage in order to set things up for a bunch gallop and thus give him the chance to take another stage win. "No, no, I am going to be taking it easy today," he stated.
Horner trying to recover
Chris Horner is another rider hoping for a quiet day in the saddle. Last year he rode a very aggressive Tour, going close to a stage win but being caught along with breakaway companion Sylvain Chavanel inside the final 300 metres of stage 13 to Montpellier.
However he told Cyclingnews this morning that he was holding back for now. "I am not going to try anything as I haven't been feeling very well in the last few stages. I am just going to try to recover a bit and survive."
Vansummeren determined, but frustrated
"I have tired to get into a break every day but there are 200 efforts by guys to get into an escape so it just doesn't work," said Horner's Davitamon-Lotto team-mate Johan Vansummeren at today's start. "But I will keep on trying."
The tall Belgian was happy with a big photo of him in today's L'Equipe. He said that stage 13 was a day for recovery. "Yesterday wasn't too hard, it was quite easy."
Victor Hugo Pena cautious
Although the Phonak team said after the race that they willingly gave away the race lead, their Colombian rider Victor Hugo Pena said this morning that he was a little worried. "It is good for us in that we can recover now. It is all about tactics and strategy. But I'm also a little bit worried in case it doesn't work out in the end for Floyd."
