Riccardo Riccò wants to win at L´Alpe-d´Huez. (© Cyclingheroes)

Riccardo Riccò already has won 2 stages but the 'Cobra' wants more: "Yesterday I paid the price for my attack the day before. I had a bad moment, but I kept the pace and eventually managed to be in the group of favourites. Evans is one of the leaders in this race; he´s been training for the Tour and it shows. But there´s no clear pattern anyway. Personally, I´ll go on taking one day at a time. Not being under pressure, as I was in the Giro, where I had to be in the lead in all the stages, has been good. I´ve been more relaxed in France so far and the results have been excellent. The team put up a great show in the last two stages, and I´ll put in as many attacks as my legs allow me to. Whether I prefer a stage win in L´Alpe-d´Huez (stage 17, editor) or a place on the final podium? The stage win, no doubt. I´m not interested in the GC this year, unless winning the Tour is within reach. Otherwise, I´ll seek more stage wins. As to the KOM jersey, De la Fuente is a strong candidate. If the jersey stays on my shoulders, it won´t be as a result of any special efforts, for I won´t sprint in category-3 climbs."

Juanjo Cobo is back on track for his goal after his second place at Hautcam. Cobo said: "I´m glad I´ve gone back to my original goal, being among the top ten, after a bad week resulting from my lousy performance in the time-trial. I´ve improved my climbing skills, and it shows here. After what we did yesterday, I could even dream of being among the top five, but it´s better not to get ahead of ourselves. Taking one day at a time has been a good strategy so far. It´s to early to think of the final podium. Where would I like to claim victory? I don´t care where. Any stage. Riccardo says he wants to win in L´Alpe-d´Huez, so let´s leave stage 17 to him. Any other will do for me: flat, hilly, time-trial, it´s the same."

Yesterday's stage winner Leonardo Piepoli said: "Yesterday I didn´t have a perfect day. In the early slopes I was only thinking of being among the ten best riders. But then I began to feel better. I didn´t think the attach with Schleck would be the good one as it was the first one, but sometimes you´re wrong in your perceptions. This victory is very dear to me. Winning in this team´s outfit and in a one-two with Cobo, who´s been with me since the birth of Saunier Duval, is just great. The team´s key to success is a good atmosphere. Being part of a small team involves extra motivation, and having been together for so long is of great emotional help."

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