Sastre confident he can triumph for Team CSC

By Francois Thomazeau

BREST, France (Reuters) - Team CSC have probably the most impressive team on paper at the start of the Tour de France and possibly the least glamorous leader in Carlos Sastre.

Fourth overall last year and third two years ago in his only podium place to date, the Spanish climber is confident he can steal the show in a race which looks wide open.

"For me, shorter time trials are good news because I will never be a specialist at these," said Sastre, five times a top 10 finisher in the world's leading cycling race.

The 33-year-old climber has failed to impress in recent months but Team CSC head Bjarne Riis is confident he made the right choice as his number one rider.

"Carlos has never been at his best in spring, we know him well and he has had the right preparation to reach his peak for the Tour," said the former Danish rider.

If Sastre fails to deliver, Team CSC have countless other options in the three-week race starting on Saturday.

Luxemburg brothers Frank and Andy Schleck are widely tipped to be among the best all-round riders in years to come. Younger brother Andy made a formidable impression last year when he finished second in the Italian Giro at the age of 21.

"Andy is still very young and we expect him to go for the overall standings. But we're not putting any pressure on him. In any case, he's going to be extremely useful to the team in the mountains," Riis said.