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Tour Debut for Dan Lloyd

Story posted July 2, 2010; by Spokesman Ltd

Making his debut for the Cervelo Test Team at the world's biggest bike race, the Tour de France, is Britain's Dan Lloyd. Following is an interview with the rider who has fought his way into riding the biggest Grand Tour of them all with some top performances over the two years he has been with this well known Pro team.

Q: Daniel, you've already ridden and completed one of the toughest Giro d'Italia of modern times, were you surprised to find yourself called up to ride the Tour de France as well? 
Dan Lloyd: I guess there was a little bit of shock, especially having ridden the Dauphine as well but overall it's more a pleasant surprise than anything else. It is true that I have had quite a heavy early season schedule but I guess the team have seen that I am a consistent rider and that convinced them I can do a good job for the team.
 
Q: What will that job be?  
Dan Lloyd: I think that is still to be discussed. Clearly at the last two Giros I have been working for Carlos and the overall classification but in the Tour de France, we will be targeting both the overall with Carlos and defending the Green Jersey for Thor. It may be that I have a split roll.
 
Q: Are you happy riding a race with split duties?
Dan Lloyd: Yes that doesn't bother me at all. It feels quite different riding for Thor than riding for Carlos. The gratification comes a bit more instantly if you have a good day riding for Thor whereas you have to be able to play a long game for Carlos, especially with the tough last week and not every rider can do that. What is true is that with two leaders, there will be less chance of solo efforts. 
 
Q: This is your first Tour de France although as you have just said, you have ridden last two editions of the Giro d'Italia. What are your expectations?
Dan Lloyd: I think that everything in the Tour is just a little bit harder; the pace, the pressure to show for sponsors or for riders to impress for contracts. It's just that 1 or 2 per cent that makes the Tour so difficult. I never had a 'superplan' to become a Tour de France cyclist and so now I'm here,  I'm going to make the most of it.
 
Q: You've had a lot of experience riding in conditions like those of the first week.
Dan Lloyd: Yes, I've lived and ridden in Belgium and know the type of racing you get in Holland, Belgium and northern France well. I'm sure that teams will try and put the big favourites under pressure in the Benelux and it could cause problems for some of the climbers. Luckily, Carlos is pretty good on the cobbles and in that style of racing. He knows how to get to the front and stay there when he needs to. I'm sure that including riders like Andreas Klier who goes well in the classics will help. The opening three days will be stressful for us looking after Carlos and also helping Thor in the stages he could really shine in, after that, I think it will settle down for a bit.
 
Q: To what do you put down the powers of recovery that have got you rides in two grand tours so far this year?
Dan Lloyd: Ha! ask me about that when I have reached Paris!