Cycling: Ullrich happy with his fitness

PALLEJA - Germany's Jan Ullrich says he has never been in better shape at this time of year as he cranks up his preparation for the Tour de France.

After five second places overall in the tour as well as a win in 1997, the 31-year-old T-Mobile leader is widely tipped as the man to end American Lance Armstrong's long reign in July.

"I've never felt so strong at this time of year," Ullrich said at the Tour of Catalonia where he is standing 17th overall after two tough days in the Pyrenees.

"I didn't want to go into the red in the Pyrenees. I was only using 90 per cent of my strength," added Ullrich, who is 3m 38s behind leader Yaroslav Popovych.

"And I'm still only at 70 per cent of my maximum tour condition, so I know I am on the right track.

"It's been hard training here for me, but I am not surprised at my performance here because I've been working hard on my condition in Italy."

Ullrich will race the GP Schwarzwald in Germany on June 4 followed by the GP Gippingen in Switzerland on June 5 before defending his victory in last year's Tour of Switzerland from June 11-19.

Two other contenders for the Tour de France, Spaniards Alejandro Valverde and Iban Mayo, said they were also happy with their condition, despite being way off the pace in Catalonia.

"I've just had a long period resting and training at home, but I can see I'm where I should be for this time of year," Valverde, third in the 2003 Tour of Spain, said.

"I pushed myself hard in yesterday's mountain time trial and finished seventh on the stage, so I'm pleased," added Mayo, who won the prestigious Alpe D'Huez stage in the 2003 Tour.

Both riders formed part of a break early on stage six of the Tour of Catalonia yesterday.

- REUTERS