Stefan Küng before the time trial: "Victory is my goal"

Stefan Küng at the top of the pack for the first week of the tour (Photo: KEYSTONE / AP / CHRISTOPHE ENA)

(nda)

"Until now, I have really rolled this Tour de France," said Küng Friday after- midday. in Lourdes before the start of the third and final stage of the Pyrenees. For about 200 km to Laruns it was only for him to cross. Whether you reach the front or back five minutes on such a step does not matter because of the power used. "

The day before, in the flat section in Pau, Kung tried to find shelter in the dissident group.It attacked two or three times, but did not do so, according to the Swiss. East, who are playing his second round of France.On last Saturday, at the 14th stage in Mende, he had had more success: "It was a good feeling, in the race to be at the forefront. "

Constant highs and lows

Being in front of him would be too happy for Küng in the time trial of the penultimate day of the 105th Tour de France. This is how the BMC professional defended its title against the Swiss timepiece in a superior style, and on the last day of the Tour de Suisse in Bellinzona managed World Tour's first victory in a long time trial

But Espelette's time trial, almost as long that Ticino (34.1 km), presents much more coupierter. On the 31 km, there is a constant climb and descent, with a steep ramp, the 900 m long and the Pinodieta pass at 10.2%, just before the end.

"It's a very difficult time trial, if I can get my performance then I'm happy, victory is my goal," said Küng with his ambitions not behind the mountain, but he also knew that Geraint Thomas, Tom Dumoulin, Chris Froome and Primoz Roglic were in good shape and were good referees of the time.