Team CSC-Saxo Bank manager Bjarne Riis is satisfied with how things have unfolded the first week of racing. “The boys look good. We came here to race and that’s what we’re going to do. The time trials were good. Andy lost a little time yesterday, but that’s OK. The first real hard stages are still to come. We’ll know more about who is going to win this Tour after Hautacam (in stage 10). The mountains are important this year.”

Watch for German marauder Jens Voigt to attack in Thursday’s hilly stage across the Massif Central. The five-climb stage is ideal for Voigt’s attacking style. “I’m like a spring coiled tight and I am just waiting for Bjarne to let me loose, then I will explode into the peloton,” Voigt said. Well, it look likes Voigt’s long wait is over. Riis hinted that Voigt will have freedom to attack in Thursday’s stage. “We’ve held him back so far, so maybe Jens will do some damage tomorrow. It’s a great stage for him and maybe it’s time to liven things up a little bit,” Riis said. “Everyone is holding back. Now it’s time for Jens to attack.”

Nicki Sorensen is still aching from his nasty, high-speed crash in stage 3. He enjoyed a relatively easy day in Tuesday’s time trial and suffered through Wednesday’s longest stage of the Tour. The tough Dane was able to finish, but admitted he’s been better. “Fortunately, it was a calm day. I still have some pain in my knee and wrist. My hand felt better today, but the knee had it very bad,“ he said. “Tomorrow will be a very tough stage, so I’m a little afraid of how it will go.“

Team CSC-Saxo Bank’s Fabian Cancellara is riding this year with the dossard (number in French) number 13. Not wanting to get jinxed, Cancellara rode with the number pinned upside down on his jersey during Tuesday’s 29.5-kilometer time trial.

Team CSC-Saxo Bank’s climbing sensation Chris-Anker Sorensen might not be at the Tour de France this year, but he scored an important victory Tuesday during the “queen stage” at the Tour of Austria. Just like his win during last month’s Dauphiné Libéré, Sorensen won the 170-kilometer stage up the fearsome Kitzbuhler Horn climb. He attacked with eight kilometers to go to drop the other overall favorites to win the stage and surge into the overall lead. Now Team CSC-Saxo Bank will be defending the leader’s jersey in Austria.