American bicycle racer David Zabriskie may be one of the few Star Wars fans who could beat General Grievous on his wheel bike to the finish line. As the third American to wear the Yellow Jersey in the Tour de France (behind Lance Armstrong and three-time winner Greg Lemond) Zabriskie also impressed racing fans while riding with the U.S. Postal Team by winning the eleventh stage of the 2004 Vuelta Espaņa. Currently riding for the Danish Team CSC, he won the eighth stage of the 2005 Giro d'Italia and made history in 2005 as he broke the tour time trial speed record.

The Utah-native took time out from his busy training schedule to chat about his appreciation for all things Star Wars.

"My first Star Wars memory dates back to the summer before first grade," Zabriskie recalls. "My neighbor broke his leg in a BMX bike accident and for the whole summer we sat in his basement and watched Star Wars. I also remember taking a flashlight and pretending it was a lightsaber. And although I never did any Star Wars costumes for Halloween, I do remember cutting out cardboard pictures of Luke Skywalker from a cereal boxes and holding them in front of my face."

When asked why the Star Wars films strike such a chord with fans over the years, Zabriskie comments that it's the underlying moral themes that make the saga timeless.

"In these films the good versus evil motif is very powerful because the films really do a good job of explaining -- in a very entertaining way -- the philosophical messages underpinning the two sides," Zabriskie says. "Also interesting are the different levels in which the films can be interpreted so that everyone can relate the themes of the movie to their own life experiences; not to mention the brilliance of the sequencing, characters, settings, music and special effects."

Like his fellow Star Wars fans, Zabriskie made certain he caught the last installment of the saga, eager to discover the backstory of Darth Vader.

"Understanding Anakin's fall to the dark side is a good example of that important gray space between good and evil," Zabriskie explains. "Although the film seems to suggest that Anakin's attachments led him to evil, his commitment to his wife could be viewed as somewhat redeeming. Clearly the good/evil paradigm is overly simplistic and it is in these moments of ambiguity that the films become complex and interesting."

Even though the film's main story centered around Darth Vader and his tragic tale of consequences, Zabriskie found himself rooting for Anakin's Master.

"I identify with Obi-Wan the most, because, you know, he's just a good dude," Zabriskie smiles. However when asked which Star Wars character would be most likely to win the Tour de France, Zabriskie is quick to name another Jedi who's already proved himself worthy on in a race on screen.

"Probably Anakin," Zabriskie says. "Because he is very strong and will do whatever it takes to win."

To keep up to date on Zabriskie's latest races, be sure to visit his official site here.

Stay tuned to starwars.com for more Star Wars appreciation interviews from some of your favorite celebrities.