Jakob Fuglsang goes into the Tour de France as a key domestique for Vincenzo Nibali. However, the Dane doesn't rule out riding for the GC or seeking a stage win himself.

Last year Jakob Fuglsang got the chance to lead Astana in the Tour de France. The Dane did a consistent race to finish 7th overall, his best result in a grand tour.

This year he has travelled to the grand depart in Leeds with a different focus. This time Vincenzo Nibali is the team captain and Fuglsang goes into the race as a domestique. Nonetheless, he doesn't rule out the opportunity of riding for GC himself or chasing a stage win.

"Stage wins are always important, especially in the Tour," he told CyclingQuotes in Leeds. "They are very valuable. Last year I was close and of couse I will go for it if I get my chance. I hope to do so.

"If Nibali is ready - and he seems to be fit - the objective for both me and the team is to support him. I will do my best to ride ride in his service.

"Then we will see how much room I get - whether I go for GC or will chase a stage win. That's hard to say. It also depends on the strength of the team. If the squad is strong and has plenty of resources, it is obviously easier for me to go for the GC."

Last year Fuglsang carried all the pressure of the team on his shoulders and he admits that his new role has had an impact on his motivation.

"I must admit that I am not as excited as last year," he said. "That was something very special and a lot was at stake for me. Of course it means that the level of excitement isn't the same because I know that everything isn't on my shoulders."

Last year Fuglsang went into the race on the back of a fourth place finish in the Criterium du Dauphiné. This year he only finished 10th in the French race but that was a consequence of a deliberate choice.

"I feel good," he said. "My build-up has been pretty similar to the one I had last year. The first part of the season was all about the classics and then I decided to do the Tour de Romandie instead of taking a break. Maybe everything has been pushed one week. In the Dauphiné the form wasn't as good as last year but I think that is the right thing for this year's race.

"Hopefully I will peak one week later in the Tour. That would be perfect as the hard stages are all in the final week. We'll see how it goes but I feel good and think that I am ready."