Mobbed in the start village each morning by enthusiastic fans, the 32-year-old Dane still makes the time to chat to journalists and share a joke with race officials. Unlike Miguel Indurain, who preferred to keep clear of the crowded start villages during his reign in the "maillot jaune," Riis copes well with all the fuss, while never allowing it to impinge on his calm and relaxed exterior. Every day that passes with the Dane retaining his overall lead, sees him grow in confidence while his rivals continue to glance anxiously at each other, and his lead now appears ever more invincible.
"I do feel a bit like Miguel (Indurain) must have felt these past five years," he admitted this morning. "The Tour’s my kind of race and I feel really confident. I know that I’m close now to my great ambition and every day that passes is a victory of its own."
"But the Tour’s not won yet, not at all," he continued. "I’m tired, the team’s tired, everybody’s tired. But I’m not worried by these next stages — in fact, I’d say that Hautacam suits me well. I think that I can even gain more time there. The stage to Pamplona is more dangerous; it’s tough, very long and very hard to control the race. But I’m not going to crack, not now ...."