Freire favourite

"Being the favourite could be a good thing but it also could be bad because it puts a lot of pressure on your shoulders and everybody expects you to win," Freire told Eurosport.

"On the other hand, being the favourite is a good thing because it proves that you're in good shape and it gives you a lot of confidence. In the end, I prefer being favourite, but it's not only Petacchi and I, there are many".

Among them is Zabel who wants to make amends for raising his arms in victory too quickly last year as Freire pipped him to the line:

"It's true that Petacchi and Freire have dominated the beginning of the season and it's impressive for the others. But Saturday is another day, it's the first great race of the season, the first "classic" and everybody will be highly motivated," the T-Mobile leader told Eurosport.

Earlier Zabel admitted that last year, he was so obsessed with Petacchi that he forgot the rest of the field... and the fact that Freire is one of the best finishers in the peloton.