Ion Izagirre: "We are ready to aim for stage victories"

Ion Izagirre has won the queen stage of the Itzulia Basque Country this year, his move to Cofidis and his 33 years of age don't seem to weigh on the Basque who is aiming high at the Tour de France, with the dream of a stage win.

"Being at the Tour de France is a great feeling. It's fantastic to participate in the biggest race in the world, the most important of the season," Izagirre said in a press release this week. "This year I am in a French team so it will be even more special and intense for sure. With the fans at the roadside, the special atmosphere, it's always a special moment".

"Going to the Pyrenees is always magical for a Basque like me. We will decide in the next few days on the team's objectives," he specifically pointed out. With three days in the third week, there will be some opportunities for Izagirre there - he who won the final mountain stage of the 2016 Tour de France back in Morzine.

"But I think that we are ready to aim for stage victories and a good place in the general classification with Guillaume," he concluded. Martin isn't likely to be hunting a GC classification though, and the duo is likely going to team up in the high mountains to try and bring Cofidis some success.