DAX, France - A disappointing result in last weekend's time trial has left the Discovery Channel cycling team with little choice but to attack when the Tour de France enters the Pyrenees.
The team were used to starting the mountain stages with seven-time winner Lance Armstrong wearing the overall leader's
yellow jersey but the American retired last year, leaving his former colleagues in an unusual position.
"We lost more time than expected in the time trial so it is up to us to make up for it if we can," team manager Johan Bruyneel said today.
"And there is only one way to make up for lost time -- attack and ignite the race so that no team should be able to be in control.
"There will be attacks from the first stage in the Pyrenees. Even if the stage does not end at a summit, there will be a lot of possibilities," the Belgian added.
Tomorrow's 190.5km 10th stage will lead the peloton from Cambo-Les-Bains to Pau with the ascents of the Col de Soudet and the Col de Marie-Blanque.
"We have to adopt an aggressive attitude. The wait-and-see attitude is not an option for us anymore," Bruyneel said.
Discovery Channel's best placed rider in the overall standings is former Giro d'Italia winner Paolo Savoldelli in 11th, two minutes 10 seconds behind leader Serhiy Honchar, of Ukraine.
George Hincapie, Armstrong's former lieutenant, is 17th, 2min 30sec adrift of the T-Mobile rider.
Bruyneel acknowledged the German team were in a strong position before the mountain stages.
"Andreas Kloeden is the best but there are many other riders. They are undoubtedly the strongest team," he said.
Kloeden, who finished second to Armstrong on the tour two years ago, is fifth overall, 1min 50sec behind Honchar.
Teammate Michael Rogers has said the team will probably work for the German in the mountains.
However, Bruyneel refuses to panic.
"The good thing for us is that we do not have any pressure. We have no obligation," he said.
"Our riders have been part of an impressive winning streak. The team and the riders have the feeling they have nothing to prove."
- REUTERS
