WETZIKON, Switzerland, June 20, 2010 – French cycling ace Sylvain Chavanel said on Sunday he was confident of being fit to compete in the Tour de France despite a serious injury two months ago.

The Quick Step rider suffered a fractured skull and concussion after crashing into another team’s car during the Liege-Bastogne-Liege race in mid-April and had been ruled him out of the Tour de France from July 3-25.

But the rider has been boosted by his performance in the Tour of Switzerland, which concludes on Sunday.

“I already didn’t expect to be here (Tour of Switzerland) and even going so far (in the race). I thought I would suffer more, especially on the Albula (climb),” he said.

“I’m tired, but that’s normal. You need tough races like that to come back. It should be good for the Tour (de France).”