Wegmann hasn't seen anything like it

Fabian Wegmann thinks that the British aren't known for their bubbling temperament, but this weekend they tried very hard to set a good mood, the German reports on his website, www.fabianwegmann.de.

The Gerolsteiner rider had hoped for many spectators at the prologue, but he didn't expect that they would be standing six or seven-deep in every town and every small village that the peloton passed.

"I have never experienced anything like that," the German Champion contended, and elaborated that there were so many people that it was actually hard to take natural breaks. "It is a stupid situation. You are cycling along and hope that after the next curve there is no fan so you can releave yourself."

Wegmann was somewhat surprised with that because of all the doping discussion in the past weeks. "Journalists that wrote that cycling is dead were proved wrong."

As for his personal goals he still maintains it is a stage win. He also thinks that the team's sprinter, Robert Förster, has a good shot at it. His teammate finished sixth yesterday, and was the rider "with the highest speed at the end," declared Wegmann.

The day ended hectically and the riders hastened to the busses to catch the Eurostar train back to mainland Europe.