The Etixx-Quick-Step cycling team held an open media day Friday (1st July) in preparation for the start off the Tour de France on Saturday.

SOUNDBITE (English): Marcel Kittel, Etixx-Quickstep sprinter

"I think we have a really, really strong lead out. And in general also a really, really strong team. So I have all the confidence in those guys. We have the experience, we know the timing. On paper everything is okay. How it turns out in practice we will see. But for now, especially before the first stage, we are very confident. We are relaxed and we are trying to do our job on Saturday."

SOUNDBITE (English): Tony Martin, Etixx-Quickstep time trialist

"I am a rider with a lot of experience in the Tour de France. I did it in the 2008 year. Especially in the first week it helps me a lot. It will also help the team because I know what's going on in the stressful first week. So, yeah, I will give the experience also to the younger riders and I hope I can support them."