I like the fact that some less well known climbs have been used, though for a guy like me mountain top finishes are not really ideal for the type of stage I like to go for!

I think a lot of people will focus on the six Mountain top finishes, which is natural. I am not so sure that the first two are that difficult the Col de Minier is obviously a very long one but it will be difficult to judge where to attack on it. I'd even give a break a chance on that day I think the favourites will play it cagey. I think the Pyrenees will be really tough though, I've raced in San Sebastian and it just goes up and down all day. The two mountain stage I don't know so well but coming where they do the big guns will have to fire.

The Alps will be the final battleground, I think yes if Madrazo is here he will surely be in the reckoning. I don't know if someone like Phinney with the chrono kilometres will still be in the hunt. But whoever is here will need to have kept something the stage into La Plagne is really going to be very hard.

It's going to be a tour where no-one can relax, we had for me one of the best tours in a long time this year and next years could be even better. It's tough yes, but I don't think it is as tough as people might think, certainly no tougher than last year where guys were shattered coming out of Corsica!