Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team met with the media on Thursday for a press conference prior to the 101st edition of the Tour de France. The following text are comments made by OPQS riders Mark Cavendish, Michal Kwiatkowski, Tony Martin, and Niki Terpstra.
Mark Cavendish
On the chance to wear yellow on Saturday
It's incredible. For the second time in my career the UK has the grand depart of the Tour de France, the biggest bike race in the world. To think the first days are in Yorkshire and the first stage finishes in my mother's town of Harrogate is really exciting. I remember being in Harrogate many summers. My grand parents live here, my uncle still lives here. It's nice to return and look around at the places I knew when I was young. The support of not just Yorkshire, but the whole grand depart has been phenomenal. When I came weeks ago to recon the course, the vibe that was around here was phenomenal. It was something I've never seen. The support from people, the people who do or don't know about bike racing, it's been absolutely tremendous. I don't think anyone can really anticipate how big it's going to be this weekend and I'm looking forward to savoring that. But, it's not a given that we will come away with the yellow jersey. Things can always go right or wrong at the Tour de France. There's 200 riders on the start line almost, and every one of them would like to win the yellow jersey. It's a big honor. The media focus happens to be on me because my mother's from Harrogate. I'd like to win the first stage, Omega Pharma – Quick- Step has a strong team, but the Tour de France is 21 days long and it doesn't finish after the first stage or we leave Yorkshire. We've got an incredibly strong Omega Pharma – Quick-Step team here and we'd like to do well across the three weeks.
On his 2014 training program leading up to the Tour
I feel in good condition for this Tour de France. A lot of guys who were at the Tour de Suisse got sick but hopefully I am over that. I've had nine wins this year and the team is close to 50 already. We've been super successful all season, racing across the board, and put a strong team together for the Tour de France that will try and do well over these three weeks.
On his motivation and his competitors
I'm incredibly lucky to have won 25 stages at the Tour de France. It's the biggest bike race in the world and to come here with the successful teams I've been part of has been monumental to my career. Sure I'd like to win as much as possible, as much as I can. One win in a rider's career can be the highlight of their career, not just one win a year. Omega Pharma – Quick-Step came here last year and won four stages. That's a successful Tour, that's about one out of every five stages. We want to come here and repeat that. We want to be successful and win WorldTour stages. There are strong riders on other teams who also want to do well, but we're all really motivated to try and get good results.
Michal Kwiatkowski
On his objectives
Of course it would be nice to wear the white jersey during the race as I did last year. But honestly, I want to focus on continuing my growth as a rider at a grand tour. This is my second Tour de France. I came here to specifically help Mark Cavendish and gain experience. That's my goal.
On the atmosphere
I'm really excited before the start. This is my second Tour de France, the biggest grand tour in the world. Starting for OPQS is something special. We were a successful team last year and hope we can be the same this year. We are all really motivated.
Tony Martin
About the strength of OPQS at the Tour de France
In all the years we always had a really good team at the start. We always were successful.This year is the same, so I think the morale is high for being present in all the actions that are possible. We have worked well as a team all year and think we put together a good group for this grand tour.
On the time trial parcours
Honestly I didn't see it yet, I only saw the profile online. It looks quite nice. Hilly, but not too many mountains. It really can suit me.
Niki Terpstra
On the cobbled stage after winning Paris-Roubaix
I think we cannot compare this stage with the one-day classic Paris-Roubaix. Roubaix has 26 cobblestone section, while this stage we have eight half sections. I'm going to do my best to get in front, but don't expect it to be like a classic. But I'm happy to be back in the region. I like to race there. It's going to be a good race, especially the last 20 kilometers. The cobbles suit me well, but of course there are other stages for us. Of course the main goal is to be there for Mark, but we will always do our best to be present if there is a moment to get a good result.
On the hopes of the team in 2014 after four wins in 2013
Of course I think we can try and have similar success as we did last year. Especially when there is wind, we like to do a lot of attacks. So, if there is opportunity we will try it. But you cannot always plan these chances. If you're in the races and you feel the wind will change direction and it will be good to try something, you have to attack it. It isn't always something you anticipate. If there is a chance you must be there and then go for it.