Friday, 20 July 2012:

The fact that sprinter Matt Goss has started feeling good in the Pyrenees is a good sign for the rest of his Tour de France.

Goss' form will be the key to new Australian team Orica-GreenEDGE achieving their No.1 goal of a stage win in their Tour debut.

He admits he struggled in the days immediately after receiving a controversial 30-point penalty from race judges for a sprint at the end of stage 12.

That put Goss out of the running for the green jersey points classification.

But Goss has felt better in stages 16 and 17 through Pyrenees - normally the time when sprinters such as himself are suffering and hoping to make the time cutoff.

Goss will aim to test his form again on Friday in the 222.5km stage north from Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde.

After Saturday's time trial, Sunday will feature the dream of every Tour sprinter - the last stage that finishes on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

"The couple of days after the green jersey (penalty) I wasn't really stoked and I wasn't in much of a mood," Goss said.

"But the last two days, I've been feeling probably the best of the Tour.

"So I feel like I'm strong, ready to go, and looking forward to the last few days."

Orica-GreenEDGE have had a solid Tour debut, scoring every stage placing from second to seventh.

Goss said the Orica-GreenEDGE sprint leadout train would be ready for action.

"It's going to be pretty similar ... it will be just the same," he said.

"The guys have everything well-drilled, well-nailed, so we just have to do everything we've been doing .

"Everyone is going to be a little bit more tired, so that maybe suits me a little bit better."

AAP