Tour de France:Andy Schleck plans to go on the attack in his bid for Tour de France glory. The 25-year-old Team Saxo Bank rider trails two-time champion Alberto Contador (Astana) by eight seconds ahead of today's 174-kilometre 17th stage from Pau to the Col du Tourmalet.
The fabled 18.6-kilometre hors categorie (beyond category) Col du Tourmalet represents Schleck's final opportunity to overtake Contador ahead of Sunday's finish in Paris.
The Luxembourg rider said: "Right now the Tour is coming to an end and we're running out of time.
"There is only one chance left and that's tomorrow (Thursday). I've got to try everything because I want to win this. There's only one way and that's climbing the Tourmalet."
Wet weather is forecast for today's stage, but Schleck is not concerned.
"Tourmalet is Tourmalet, in sunshine or in rain," he added. "I like Tourmalet because it's steady, it's hard and if you're not a climber you don't go up there.
"I've always said I believe that the guy who has the yellow tomorrow will be in yellow in Paris and I still believe that."
However vital today's stage is, Schleck knows Saturday's 52kilometre time-trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac is also crucial.
Schleck concedes Contador is better against the clock, but the Luxembourg rider insists he is much improved - even since the 8.9kilometre prologue in Rotterdam where he finished 122nd, 42 seconds and 116 places behind the Spaniard.
"In Rotterdam I was really bad but now with three weeks' racing behind us it's a different story," said Schleck.
"I know I need to be in yellow for the start ramp for the time-trial to have a chance to win this Tour.
"If I don't start in yellow, I won't beat Alberto. But I cannot tell you how much (time) I need."
Another rider targeting success in Saturday's time-trial is Briton Bradley Wiggins.
The Team Sky leader, who finished fourth in the 2009 Tour but currently lies 21st in the overall standings, believes a stage victory in Pauillac would be a bright spot in a disappointing Tour.
Wiggins said yesterday: "I'll be putting everything into that last time-trial and salvaging maybe a stage win which would transform the whole perception of the race that I've had in this Tour - even if it means sacrificing 20th overall tomorrow by not emptying myself up the Tourmalet."
Nicolas Roche is 18th in the overall standings. “Thursday is going to be crucial,” said the Irish rider. “I have nothing to lose. Regardless of the position I am in now, I have learned a lot from this Tour for the future.
“When I look back afterwards, I will be able to say ‘this is where I still have to work on, this is where I’m not doing too badly’. Overall I think I have improved a lot since last year.”