Thomas Voeckler believes there were tactical errors on the road to Alpe d’ Huez during the Tour de France 2011
French cyclist, Thomas Voeckler commented about his performance at the Tour de France 2011. He claimed that because of errors on the road towards Alpe d’Huez, he had to give up the overall classifications lead.
Voeckler held the yellow jersey at the event for ten consecutive days, alongside being fully supported by the home crowd.
He has also mentioned that although winning the tour was a difficult target, he was annoyed by the manner he had to give up the yellow jersey.
The French finished fourth after the final general classifications at the Tour de France 2011, he was 3 minutes and 20 seconds behind the race leader.
Cadel Evans of Australia won the event, with Andy Schleck and Frank Schleck securing the second and the third positions, respectively.
Voeckler told L’Equipe, “I never believed in Tour victory, that’s not a bluff, but I did seriously believe in the podium. After Plateau de Beille, I said to myself that there was no reason why I lose more ground in the mountains”.
Regardless of the disappointment towards the end of the Tour de France 2011, Thomas believes that his strategy will not change for the Tour in 2012.
Thomas is also working hard to improve his time trialling skills for the season ahead. The French grand tour will have almost a hundred kilometres of time trialling in the 2012 edition.
He mentioned, “I love cycling in general and not just the Tour de France, so I’m not going to focus my year on the Tour de France under the pretext that there are two time trials, and just cross off the other races”.
Voeckler had an outstanding 2011 season as he secured overall victories at the Tour du Haut Var and Four Days of Dunkirk. He won the stage 4 at the Four Days of Dunkirk along with stage 4 and stage 8 of Paris-Nice.
The 32-year-old will start the coming season in France because of the fact that his team, Team Europcar, has not received invitations for most of the races in other regions.
Voeckler and his team’s inclusion at the coming Tour de France is also in doubt as they have not found any sponsors yet.
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