A year ago, the Spaniard was seen as secondary behind Tyler Hamilton.

The American, however, did not truly impress during the race and Sastre was CSC's highest finisher in 10th.

Again Sastre will most likely be behind Hamilton in the team's hierarchy, depending on how the early mountain stages go.

There is no doubting Sastre's ability on the climbs - he is a previous winner of the mountain jersy on the 2000 Vuelta d'Espana.

With Laurent Jalabert having retired, he looks a strong contender for the King of the Mountains' polka-dot jersey in the Tour de France.

But Sastre knows he will have to calm his often volatile nature to move himself up the general classification.

Last year he was famously spotted exchanging punches with Christophe Moreau while climbing to Plateau de Beille on stage 12.

He was docked 20 seconds for his part in the debacle but looks to have learned his lesson.