Kristof Goddaert: «IAM Cycling can win in Qatar»

“We have no reason to envy Omega Pharma-Quickstep or Lotto-Belisol.  With guys like Ista, Haussler, Hinault, Elmiger and myself, we can certainly set up a winning train for Pelucchi.  And I have already seen this week that he is able to beat a Boonen or a Greipel.”

Kristof Goddaert speaks with his usual enthusiasm immediately after the time trial, which was won by the young Australian hope Michael Hepburn (Orica-GreenEdge).

“IAM Cycling has a guy who can win any stage in Qatar.  There will certainly be echelons and breaks in the peloton on Wednesday, but on Thursday and Friday we can probably count on the days ending in massive sprints.”

Disappointed with his having to abandon the GP La Marseillaise, the 27 year old Belgian is looking to reassure himself regarding his form going into the spring classics.

“I prepared well for my season.  And the sensations in my legs have been good since the beginning of this tour.  Sunday we were unlucky with Heinrich Haussler falling in a roundabout with less than 4 kilometers to the finish. We had been preparing for the sprint in the chase group behind Martin Elmiger. 

I screwed up my race Monday, but today I did a decent time trial.  The conditions are always a bit special here, considering we are using normal road bikes.  Finding the best aerodynamic position is not always obvious.  The handlebars and saddle are different too.  I used a 54×13/14, but the wind was ever-present. 

You had to be really very powerful to use the gear ratio that would make the difference against the wind in those final kilometers.”