Jens Voigt spoke with RadsportNews on the eve of the Grand Depart in Rotterdam and looks as ready as ever to do battle on the roads of France. The 38-year-old, just one day older than Lance Armstrong, is ready for his 13th Tour de France start, just one appearance short of Erik Zabel's German record of 14.
Voigt is heading toward 40, but he's not thinking about retirement just yet. The two-time stage winner and two-time wearer of the Yellow Jersey has had a solid season so far including a stage win at Catalunya in the spring and 6th overall at the Tour of California. At this point, it seems like one can almost predict Voigt's words on certain topics - this is vintage Jens:
"In any case, I will race in 2011. Whether I race the Tour, I don't know. I'm not getting younger. I won't give up without a fight though."
When asked about the implications of Kim Andersen's departure to form a new team out of Luxembourg, Voigt was matter of fact: "We were not surprised by the news."
The important thing to focus on, he reminds us, is that Saxo Bank has the best chance they've had in a long while to win the Tour de France. It's arguable that they have a better chance at winning in 2010 than they did when Carlos Sastre won it all two years ago. With the high hopes for overall glory, Voigt will have his work cut out for him. He'll be responsible for tending to Luxembourg's brotherly duo and keeping them safe in the wild opening stages.
"This year, we have a great chance to win the Tour. I'm sort of a personal protector for the Schleck Brothers. I will give them a draft and try to keep them out of wrecks."
Just as the name Contador cannot be uttered without mention of Armstrong, Jens Voigt's name cannot be said in the same sentence as the Tour de France without mention of his horrific crash in the Alps last year. Voigt, again, is matter of fact about the incident, but takes heart in the odds.
"I paid my blood toll there. According to the statistics, something like that only happens once every ten years. I'm pretty sure that something like that won't happen to me ever again."
Of anyone in the entire race, no one man garners more attention than Lance Armstrong. It wouldn't be an interview without directing a question at Jens in regards to Lance's possibilities for Tour de France win #8.
"I change my opinion about him every week. One thing is certain though: he has gotten worse in the time trials. At the Tour de Suisse, overall, he rode well. I tip him for a spot somewhere between 3rd and 6th place."
If the weather holds out for the late starters, one could do worse than pick Fabian Cancellara to take this year's first Yellow Jersey. If that's the case, Voigt's work for the 2010 Grand Boucle will start in a big way on Sunday.