BREST, France—Team CSC have probably the most impressive team on paper at the start of the Tour de France and possibly the least glamorous leader in Carlos Sastre.
Fourth overall last year and third two years ago in his only podium place to date, the Spanish climber is confident he can steal the show in a race which looks wide open.
"For me, shorter time trials are good news because I will never be a specialist at these," said Sastre, five times a top 10 finisher in the world's leading cycling race.
The 33-year-old climber has failed to impress in recent months but Team CSC head Bjarne Riis is confident he made the right choice as his number one rider.
"Carlos has never been at his best in spring, we know him well and he has had the right preparation to reach his peak for the Tour," said the former Danish rider.
If Sastre fails to deliver, Team CSC have countless other options in the three-week race starting on Saturday.
Luxemburg brothers Frank and Andy Schleck are widely tipped to be among the best all-round riders in years to come. Younger brother Andy made a formidable impression last year when he finished second in the Italian Giro at the age of 21.
"Andy is still very young and we expect him to go for the overall standings. But we're not putting any pressure on him. In any case, he's going to be extremely useful to the team in the mountains," Riis said.
"This is is my first Tour so my aim is to reach the Champs-Elysees (finish). And if it can be on the podium, it would be even better", Schleck added.
Frank Schleck is one of the most versatile riders in the field and not a man to sacrifice his own chances.
Team CSC can also count on arguably the strongest active rider in one-day races and time trials, Swiss Fabian Cancellara who has won eight races this season including the Italian classic Milan-San Remo.
Two stage wins in the recent Tour of Switzerland showed how good his is and he will be the favourite in Saturday's 197-kms first stage, even if his major goal this season will be the Beijing Olympics.
Team CSC have other options for stage wins with fast Australian sprinter Stuart O'Grady and veteran German Jens Voigt, winner of two stages in the past.
"Take the legs of Fabian Cancellara, the heart and lungs of our three climbers plus my attitude and you have a rider who could win 12 Tours de France and as many world championships," Voigt said.
Riis added: "I'm convinced we have one of the strongest teams in this Tour and that you'll see us a lot in the three weeks to come."
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