American says another fifth place would be disappointing
Friday 3 July 2015 16:14, UK
Tejay van Garderen has targeted a place on the Tour de France podium and says finishing fifth for the third time in his career would be a disappointment.
The 26-year-old American, who rides for BMC Racing, was fifth in last year's edition, more than 11 minutes behind winner Vincenzo Nibali, but he comes into this year's race in better form.
Van Garderen has been through a similar race plan to last season but produced a much-improved performance in last month's Criterium du Dauphine, where he finished second to Team Sky's Chris Froome.
Although the field for this year's Tour is as strong as it could be - Nibali, Froome, Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana all taking part - Van Garderen is eager to break the quartet's monopoly on the race.
Asked if he would take fifth place if offered it, he said: "No, I wouldn't. If I ride the absolute perfect race and I end up fifth, I will have to be happy with that, but I’m aiming for at least two spots higher.
"I believe on any given day I can beat those guys. I have shown already that I have beaten them before. But it's quite another thing to beat them consistently over three weeks."
Saturday's first stage, a 13.8km time-trial in the Dutch city of Utrecht, could see Van Garderen at a slight advantage against three of his four main rivals.
But he knows his performance is going to have to be near 100 per cent throughout the race, especially as he looks to avoid the major time loss he has suffered on at least one stage in his previous three-week races.
He added: “I feel great. This is the best I have ever felt. The Dauphine was good and I took a lot of confidence out of that. I'm very motivated and very confident.
"I'm in a really good place going into this Tour. I think we have a really good team and just all the vibes I'm getting for this Tour are just very good.
"I really want to make the podium or even higher - anything is possible - but to say I'm putting in all my chips, I'm going to do it this year and it's now or never? It's not now or never. I have got a good six to eight more years of trying to make the podium or win the Tour."
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