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| | Thursday, July 13 What they're saying | |||||
| ABC Sports Online Marco Pantani, Mercatone Uno (1998 winner): "Tomorrow we will see if it's possible for Marco Pantani to win the Tour de France. We will see who can win the Tour. [Lance] Armstrong and [Jan] Ullrich are the favorites. I am cautious. This is the first exam in the mountains. I feel like a little schoolboy waiting to take his first test." Jan Ullrich, Deutsche Telekom (1997 winner): "Pantani is the hidden one. It's clear, he wants to win the Tour de France. Armstrong and Pantani are the strongest. I hope to have a strong ride." Alex Zülle, Banesto (2nd overall last year): "If I survive well in the first climbs, I think I will have a chance to win the stage. I always do well in the first mountain stages. I've seen Pantani these past few days show he is strong. Like all the years, the first mountain stages start really hard." Fernando Escartin, Kelme (3rd overall last year): "I am like a diesel engine. I get stronger as the race goes on. Last year, I attacked every day in the mountains because I am a climber. I will try to stay with the leaders tomorrow. The Alps are better for me." Abraham Olano, ONCE (4th in 1997): "We'll see what happens. I always lack a little bit in the highest mountains. The favorites will set the tempo and I will stay as long as I can. I will have to wait to see what happens." Kevin Livingston, U.S. Postal Service: "I felt good in the flats and I've felt good these first days. I hope to make the transition to the mountains OK. It's hard to tell with everyone. I think we're ready and I think Lance is strong, so I hope we have a good day tomorrow." Tyler Hamilton, U.S. Postal Service: "I am looking forward to the mountains. I am sick of all this crazy nervous riding. I feel like my time to shine is in the mountains. I hope this crash today won't affect me." Jonathan Vaughters. Credit Agricole: "I'm going to try to follow the lead guys the best I can. If I feel good on the last climb and the top guys are just sitting there looking at each other, for sure I'll attack, but that's unlikely. I'll just try to have the best ride I can." Chann McRae, Mapei: "Yeah, I'm ready to get to the mountains. I don't know how I'll be. We've been racing for 10 days on the flats and it's hard to make that transition from flat to straight up. The tempo is different in the flats than in the mountains. It should be an epic stage." | ALSO SEE Bettini wins Tour de France's 9th stage Stage Nine results | |||||
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