Geraint Thomas joked he would be happy with an "uneventful" Tour de France as long as a Team Ineos rider is stood on the top step in Paris at the end of the month.
Chris Froome's absence leaves the impression that this could be one of the most open Tours in recent memory, though Ineos would like to maintain the stranglehold that has seen them win six of the last seven editions as Team Sky.
"Hopefully one of us wins and it's really uneventful," Thomas said with a laugh.
Talk amongst yourselves... the @TeamINEOS riders await a late running Sir Dave Brailsford before the press conference can start... #TDF2019 pic.twitter.com/myLYm7lVQ3 — Ian Parker (@iparkysport) July 5, 2019
They will begin the race on Saturday with the top two favourites on the bookmakers' list in their ranks, with Thomas sharing leadership with young Colombian sensation Egan Bernal.
The defending champion certainly enjoyed his celebrations after last July's surprise victory but said the desire to get back to France has been building in him now for some time.
"I just love training, riding my bike and being with the guys," the Welshman said. "From November I was just super keen to get back. I'd had enough of everything else off the bike.
"It's just something inside you, you want to push yourself. Last year was a great race, an amazing experience and I'd love to experience that again.
"I don't think I've got anything to prove. Some people have said about maybe being a one-hit wonder, but it's a pretty good hit to have."
Waiting and waiting... Almost time to start my 10th Tour 👀 #TDF2019 #timeflies pic.twitter.com/NeTqzfKeeh — Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 4, 2019
Thomas was elevated to the status of Tour favourite after Froome's horror crash at the Criterium du Dauphine, but there is an increasing belief that this year's high-altitude route suits Bernal, whose stock rose further with his victory at the Tour de Suisse last month after Thomas crashed out.
At 22 and going into only his second Grand Tour after finishing 15th in last year's Tour, Bernal is short on experience, but Ineos team principal Sir Dave Brailsford has no doubts over his credentials.
"I think you have a physical age and a mental age, but when you're ready, you're ready," Brailsford said. "He's ready."
For his own part, Bernal said the strength of Team Ineos gives him confidence.
.@Eganbernal is ready for his second Grand Tour start at #TDF2019 🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/8WgwK4ryhx — Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) July 5, 2019
"I think that I'm young to be a GC rider, but I have a team with a lot of experience," he said. "For me it's a little bit easier when you have some team-mates that you can follow.
"I follow them and they put me in a good position in the final and I try to do my best. With a team like this, maybe it's a little bit easier."
Brailsford also revealed that Froome had on Thursday left hospital for the first time since his crash almost three weeks ago.
"He left hospital yesterday and was transferred home," Brailsford said. "It's a big step for him. He's managed to put his feet on the floor for the first time in quite a long time.
"A few of the guys here have been to visit him and he's in remarkable spirits for the situation he's found himself in."
ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Ian Parker, PA, Brussels');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'c7245216-a6f7-4835-9fd6-7b64b2fdad3b');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:uk,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:cycling,sport:other');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': '\u2018Hopefully it\u2019s really uneventful,\u2019 jokes Geraint Thomas ahead of Tour defence'});
