Rogers is ready for yellow

By Brecht Decaluwé in Saint-Grégoire

Saturday's stage features the first long time trial, and it is expected that Tom Boonen will not be able to keep his yellow jersey. There are several GC riders close to the world champion, but there are also some time trial specialists within reach of the Belgian. David Millar and Michael Rogers, for example, might be able to grab the yellow jersey if they can pull off a great time trial. Michael Rogers is closest to Tom Boonen on GC, and Cyclingnews spoke with him at the finish in Vitré on Friday.

"I hope to do well tomorrow. I expect to have a good ride because I feel quite good. I'll do the best ride I can."

Rogers has the best cards to make an attempt in grabbing the yellow jersey. "Certainly, there is a possibility of the yellow jersey but also, there are some other very good riders behind me like Hincapie, Landis, Evans, Millar - heaps of guys who can take the jersey as well. Because I'm second in GC doesn't mean I will take the jersey. I will have to ride very quick but I'm looking forward to it."

The length of the time trial suits the Australian rider perfectly, but at first sight, the course doesn't look that easy. "The first half is rather up and down. The second half is very fast, open, flat and I think that's good for me. Normally, no matter how the course is, you go well," Rogers concluded.