Schumacher to try in Tour's second time trial

By Gregor Brown in Montluçon

German Stefan Schumacher, winner of the first time trial in Cholet, has said he will go all guns blazing for another victory on the roads around Saint Amand Montrond. "I am surprised I am so strong in the third week," Schumacher told Cyclingnews Friday. "I will try tomorrow, an important day. I have shown I can win big time trials - I won the first one here."

Schumacher spent two days in the maillot jaune following the time trial win in Cholet and went on the hunt for more stage wins with back-to-back breakaways in the Alps. "I wanted to win another stage. Alpe d'Huez was not so close, but the stage before to Jausiers was close and it was also close today."

His last chance to double his success is in Saint Amand Montrond. "It is not too long for me," he declared of the rolling 53-kilometre parcours. The day will also serve as preparation for Schumacher's Olympic campaign. "The next important one is in Beijing - I will race the time trial and the road race."

Team management has not yet found a replacement sponsor for Gerolsteiner, but Schumacher believes there will be someone to fill the place of the German mineral water company. "I am really optimistic the team will go on. We had a great Tour and everyone has done his best - it gives me a good feeling."