Thomas Voeckler positive to ride the Tour de France
Thomas Voeckler might not be having the best of seasons but the cyclist is determined that he is on track for his Tour de France campaign.
The cyclist is having issues with his knee and had to abandon the previous two races, Criterium du Dauphine and the Route du Sud.
While commenting on his fitness for the coming part of the season he briefed that the scans have revealed an inflammation on the outside of the knee which should be healed after a little rest.
He told Ouest France, "I am hopeful for the Tour”.
"I have an inflammation of the iliotibial tract, that is to say, the outside of the knee. I have to take a week off without cycling".
Voeckler had a couple of good performances in the first half of the season including a first place finish at the Brabantse Pijl and a stage 3 win at the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.
He finished fourth at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, fifth at the Amstel Gold Race and the Four Days of Dunkirk 2012.
The 32-year-old rode exceptionally well in the most recent edition of the Tour de France and was the crowd’s favourite.
The Frenchman received immense support throughout his home Grand Tour and wore the yellow jersey for ten consecutive days.
He held Maillot Jaune throughout the stage 10 to stage 19 but could not continue his overall lead in final stages of the race.
Voeckler finished 3 minutes and 20 seconds behind the race leader Cadel Evans and occupied the fourth position.
Andy Schleck finished 1 minute and 34 seconds behind and achieved the second position with his brother Frank securing the third spot after the final general classifications.
With Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador absent from the 2012 version of the race ,Voeckler is a definite favourite to have a podium finish at the race.
"This is detrimental to the preparation for the Tour and that is disappointing, but I will be fresh, without being in top form because I have only three days of cycling in the legs before departure," Thomas noted.
The Tour de France 2012 is scheduled from 30 June to 22 July 2012 and it will be interesting to see if Thomas makes it through to the final Team Europcar squad for the event.
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