MONTREAL – Thomas Voeckler (BBox), winner of Grand Prix Quebec City last Friday, said he has lived 31 years and this is his “best season” after winning his second league title in France and a stage in the Tour de France. (interview translated from French).

Q: Your complete victory of opportunism in Quebec has shown a great experience …
A: “If I do the same race there are four, five years, I do not win.
I managed my efforts, I told myself that I had no right to two cartridges. I did not seek victory, I wanted to finish not far at all or a place. On the last lap, I saw that my legs were going as well as those of others, I thought he must try.
I found the right place at the right time. It takes a bit of experience and desire. At the end of the season, it matters enormously. For the team, that’s fine, it has been present in the escape. It is a Continental Pro team, we won against the Pro Tour teams, it has happened to us several times this year. But that we also happened to pass through. ”

Q: A champion of France, a stage on the Tour, a victory on a Pro Tour race. Is one of your best seasons?
A: “This is my best season. I’m happy because last year it was said that it was my best season. Before the Championship of France, I had not had many victories. I said – but I have not felt that I believed several times a year I had felt physically stronger than in 2009. I could have done in the first ten of Paris-Nice win a stage with a little more success, winning a stage in the Tour of Italy … Since then, with these victories, objectively, that is my best season. ”

Q: Yet you said you did not have a perfect lifestyle ...
A: “Thank goodness there are some uncertainties. Like all riders, from December 1 to July 30, I am serious. In August, after 90 days of racing, I did not exits six, seven hours of cycling, I did not spit on a few cocktails or glasses when we went to eat with friends. ”

Q: Your victory will make you she change her mind and go to the World Championships?
A: “I saw Lawrence (Jalabert). He said he’d like me to come. It is short to plan participation in the World. Go there to say I finished 40th in the first group , I’m not interested.
I’ll see (in Montreal Sunday) how are my legs. It’s a race that must be prepared. I’m surprised at my good condition but it is late in the year. There are riders like Philippe Gilbert, who make a goal. I’ve got one hundred days of racing. If we want a level playing field, it takes planning. The race can match my profile, but considering how teams are organized in some runners, like Tyler Farrar, I have doubts. And if I pick like last year to twenty terminals arrival because I have a shot so well, let’s say he said he was not serious in August and has just the World Championship. It must have the means to do something there. ”

Q: Where are you about your personal future in the future team of Jean-Rene Bernaudeau?
A: “I’ve only had oral guarantees because Jean-Rene has not yet signed but it should be announced soon. I trust him. It’s late in the year it may seem alarming but we should have more info in next week. ”

Interview by Simon Valmary (AFP)