Even though he is not taking part in this year’s edition of the race, Giro d’Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) is very much present at the Tour de France – and the race is ever present in the Sicilian’s mind the rider revealed in an interview with Eurosport prior to the beginning of the 4th stage team time trial which he commented for the Italian Eurosport-channel.

“If I could reproduce my form from the Giro d’Italia, I feel confident that I could have a say in this year’s Tour de France,” Nibali said. “Particularly with the parcours this year.”

Asked about his favourite to walk away with the honours this year, Nibali refused to commit to just one name, pointing instead to the trio of usual suspects.

“Obviously it’s very difficult to predict a winner. I would name three riders. In my view the yellow jersey will find itself on the shoulders of either Chris Froome, Alberto Contador or Joaquím Rodriguez when the peloton arrives in Paris. Compared to last year it’s my impression that Sky is a less well-functioning unit this year. However, things like that are well-nigh impossible to judge from the outside and it’s only an impression. It’s still a long way to go to Paris, but as I said, that’s the impression the Sky team has made on me during the first stages.”

Talking about his plans for the remainder of the current season, Nibali identified two objectives.

“My plan is to be competitive for the Vuelta a España and subsequently to seek a good result in the world championships in Florence.”

Nibali didn’t beat around the bush when talking about next year’s Tour de France.

“Next year the Tour will be my main objective of the season. Right now, when the Tour is well under way, it’s difficult not to think about it.”

Nibali also had time to comment on cycling’s troublesome past. Recently it has been rumoured that the late Marco Pantani might be stripped of his 1998 Tour de France win as a consequence of his illicit use of performance enhancing drugs.

“It would seem that everything is possible at the moment,” commented Nibali. “However, I will forever remember Pantani’s success. In my judgement it doesn’t seem reasonable to pass a sentence on a 15-year-old occurrence. A sentence should be passed much more rapidly, preferably right away if possible.”