"It's not too bad but I'm not at the top. I know the Tour is in three weeks time, that's why my form is delayed compared to last year. I know I'm on the right track. I've lost two minutes on Floyd Landis, that's normal, these guys have done a lot of races. I'll look at Saturday's stage but I won't put too much pressure on myself for winning a stage this year."
In other words if he doesn't win the mountain stage it's because he wasn't trying. But if he wins he'll probably say: "I guess my form is coming around now, just in time."
