Astana’s Lieuwe Westra is hoping he and his teammates can help Vincenzo Nibali take back some time on his GC rivals at the Tour de France during today’s team time trial.

“The team time trial, for the GC riders, is a very important day and also for our team,” Westra told Cyclingnews ahead of stage 8 of the Tour de France. “It seems like it is similar to the Dauphiné team time trial and we finished second there, but now we are in better shape and I have a good feeling about tomorrow.”

“I hope that we will start with nine good riders in good shape and I think we have a good chance of making a good day and bringing (Vincenzo) Nibali into a good position in the GC.”

Westra’s leader Nibali is currently 1:48 down on GC rival Chris Froome of Sky.