Thor Hushovd interview at the start of the Tour of California Friday, February 16th, 2007

Thor Hushovd, King of the Champs-Elysées on The 2006 Tour de France with the new 595 frame.

Thor Hushovd, “I dream of the Paris – Roubaix”

Thor Hushovd, the Norwegian Crédit Agricole sprinter is taking part in the Tour of California. Last’s year winner of the Gand – Wevelgem Belgium Classic, of the Tour de France prologue, and the final stage of the Champs-Elysées, is starting this new season calmly and is full of ambition to add to his already very rich collection of awards.

- Thor, what are your aims for this Tour of California?

- Thor Hushovd: Firstly I think this is a race which is becoming more and more important as the years pass. The bike is very fashionable in the United States, and there are many fine riders. Above all, for me it is about correctly continuing my training. I do not have any special aims. We will see. My progress must peak at the classics, and then continue up to the Tour de France.

- How do you evaluate your 2006 season?

- T.H.: Quite positively. I won seven races. There were seven Pro Tour trials. On the Tour de France, the prologue was really magical. To wear the yellow jersey immediately was exhilarating. Unfortunately, I was not able to keep it very long because of the accident in Strasburg (Ed.: he was hit during a group sprint by a spectator, and fell heavily). I lost a lot of blood, and I was badly shocked. But the main thing for me was to be able to carry on. The next day, I felt quite well. It was after that it became painful. In fact as a result of this accident I lost a lot of energy for the rest of the Tour. I missed out on the green jersey. But that’s life. I was then the best sprinter of the Vuelta. But even if this is a fine reward, it’s not as good as the Tour de France.

- To win the most famous stage of the Tour on the Champs-Elysées was this revenge to show that you were a very great sprinter?

- T.H.: Revenge, no. I’m a winner, but I don’t look for revenge. But I really wanted to win this stage. For a sprinter, the Champs-Elysées, is the dream. The day before, I was thinking about this win. Everything went as I had imagined, it was really magic.

- This year, you have modified your approach for the Tour de France by deciding to take part in the Giro. Why?

- T.H.: This is the first time that I will be taking part in the Giro. I have seen that a lot of riders have done it. With Roger Legeay, we decided to innovate. When I look at Mc Ewen, he wins stages both on the Giro and the Tour de France. Without doubt it’s good training for comparing yourself with the best sprinters. I will be there also to back up Pietro Caucchioli who will be general classification team leader.

- Before that, there will be the Classics and notably Milan San Remo and Paris Roubaix. Are these races still objectives for you?

- T.H.: More than ever. Milan – San Remo, I didn’t miss it by much. It’s a famous race which I would like to add to my list. As for Paris – Roubaix, it’s a myth. Probably it is one of my most persistent dreams.

- Why do you attach so much importance to Paris – Roubaix?

- T.H.: This is, without any doubt, the hardest classic in the world. If you win Paris – Roubaix, you become legendary. I have the strength for this. I know that one day I will raise my arms as a winner on the cycle stadium. I won Paris – Roubaix as a junior, for me this was something huge. When I became professional in 2000, it was always one of my main ambitions.

- Last year, you were the first rider along with Pietro Caucchioli to ride using the 595. Are you still as pleased with it?

- T.H.: Even though Look has always supplied us with outstanding equipment, I repeat that the 595 is the best bike I have ever had. Despite all the kilometers, it’s a bike that remains solid. It reacts exactly as I want it to. For the sprints, it’s really the best in term of stiffness. Thanks to the e-post I feel better positioned. I have the feeling of being more in unison with the bike. It’s really remarkable. And, then of course, I’m completely overwhelmed by its design. All the riders of the team were really pleased to be able to ride using this supersonic bike during the training stages this winter. All the races are awaited with impatience.