Caleb Ewan chasing "at least a stage win" at Tour de France

Lotto Soudal will be heading to the Tour de France with a lineup exclusively considering stage wins, with less support however nevertheless having in Caleb Ewan their best weapon to achieve that goal.

In an interview with Eurosport's Cycling Show, the 'Pocket Rocket' has been very clear on his goal for the three weeks: “At least a stage win, and everything after that’s a bonus," he said. "If you can walk away with a stage win, then you’ve already done better than probably half the teams there.”

With the support of Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, and rouleurs such as Brent van Moer and Florian Vermeersch, it will be a change of habits for the Belgian team who is experimenting a new leadout on the biggest goal of the season for many. Perhaps a risk, however one that may work out. There will be several stages that are set to end in a sprint, but Ewan eyes a specific one: “The Champs-Elysees is the one that everyone wants to win," he said.

He's described the importance of that day in any sprinters' objective list: “You can win there and leave the Tour on an absolute high or, even if you win a couple of stages during the Tour, if the Champs-Elysees goes wrong, you leave with a bitter taste. I’ve experienced both but it’s much better to leave the Tour having won.”