American Tyler Farrar is ready for another head-to-head battle with Mark Cavendish today at the Tour de France. He aims to put his early race "frustrations" behind and finally secure his first stage win.
"It is frustrating," he said. "I came here with the intentions to win a stage and due to some bad luck I have only have been able to take one real crack at it."
As with Cavendish, Farrar has had his own bad luck in the Tour de France this year. They both missed a chance to win with Brussels due to being in crashes and the following day to Spa, Farrar crashed and fractured a bone near his wrist.
Farrar nearly had to give up, but told his Garmin-Transitions team that he wanted to push on to and try to win his first stage. He's won stages in the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, but, unlike Cavendish, he has yet to win a stage in cycling's biggest race.
"It was totally his decision," said Garmin's team manager, Jonathan Vaughters. "Me pushing him into riding with a fracture would be stupid."
The decision to continue nearly paid off with a win five days ago in Gueugnon. Farrar finished second behind Cavendish after his Garmin team led into the windy final.
Today's stage to Bourg-lès-Valence is the only chance in the Tour's second week. Then there are two stages in the final week, Bordeaux and Paris.
"I am optimistic. I think my wrist has made it through the Alps okay. It is manageable and we keep taping it differently," continued Farrar.
"I am capable of winning. It will take the right tactics and luck."
Tour de France 2010: Latest news
Did Armstrong own a stake in Tailwind Sports, or not?
Cavendish in a 'must win' situation for Tour's green jersey
Millar rides through pain barrier to make time cut
Roche alongside Tour's top men ahead of Pyrenees
Wiggins to aim for Tour de France stage win?
Dan Lloyd battles on in Tour despite groin strain
Bradley Wiggins: Tour rest day conference
Evans faces rough ride in yellow
Riis secures replacement sponsor but Shleck in doubt
Tour de France 2010: rest day review (July 12)
Armstrong's Tour de France dream ends
Sky's objective clear ahead of Tour's high mountains
The Feed Zone (July 10): Tour de France news and views
Tour de France 2010: Stage reports
Stage 10: Paulinho claims narrow stage victory on Bastille day
Stage nine: Casar wins stage as Schleck and Contador go head-to-head
Stage seven: Chavanel wins stage and takes overall as Thomas drops out of Tour's white
Stage six: Cavendish makes it two as Tour hots up
Stage five: Cavendish wins his first stage of Tour
Stage four: Petacchi wins into Reims
Stage three: Hushovd takes dramatic win; Thomas second on stage and GC
Stage three live coverage: As it happened
Stage two: Comeback man Chavanel takes victory in Spa
Stage one: Petacchi wins in Brussels as bunch left in tatters
Prologue: Cancellara pips Martin to win
Tour de France 2010: Photos
Stage 10 photo gallery
Stage nine photo gallery
Stage eight photo gallery
Tour 2010 wallpaper
Stage seven photo gallery
Stage six photo gallery
Stage five photo gallery
Stage four photo gallery
Stage three photo gallery
Stage two photo gallery
Stage one gallery
Prologue photo gallery
Tour de France 2010: Videos
Stage 10 video highlights
Stage nine video highlights
Stage eight video highlights
Stage seven video highlights
Stage six video highlights
Stage five video highlights
Stage four video highlights
Stage three video highlights
Stage two video highlights
Stage one video highlights
Prologue video highlights
Tour de France 2010: Race guide
Tour de France 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Official start list, with race numbers
Brits at the Tour 2010
Tout team guide
Tour jerseys: What they are and what they mean
Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Wiggins
Tour de France 2010: Pictures
Tour team presentation, Rotterdam
Tour teams take to the cobbles: Photo special
