BARCELONA, July 9, 2009 (AFP) – Fabian Cancellara insists he will fight to keep hold of his Tour de France yellow jersey, but admitted he could switch to a new role on the first day in the mountains Friday.

The 28-year-old Saxo Bank star has held the yellow jersey since winning the opening stage time trial last Saturday.

But since he is not a real contender for the yellow jersey, he is expected to lose the lead in the coming days – probably to second-placed Lance Armstrong or the American’s Astana teammate Alberto Contador.

“I want to defend it, but I just don’t know how far I can go,” said Cancellara, who recently won the Tour of Switzerland stage race – a nine-day event which is no comparison to the Tour.

“If it’s over for me tomorrow it doesn’t matter.

“It’s been a great week and I’ve been proud to wear the jersey, but I’m ready to try and defend it.”

Cancellara, whose pace early on the climbs can help tire out other teams’
contenders, said he is now prepared to take on a new role for Saxo Bank if it allows his team-mates like 2008 white jersey winner Andy Schleck, and brother Frank, to prosper and play to their strengths on the mountain stages.

“I will have a new role, we will have new tactics and I think you will see team Saxo Bank at the front of the race,” said Cancellara.

“I think the level of the team is getting higher every day.

“The team is now riding more and more in the front, and always ready in important situations.

“It shows we’re now coming together.

“I think from this day on we will change our strategy.”