The Vuelta a Espana has provided optimal preparation for the upcoming world championships for several of the favorites. Two riders looking to make history, Oscar Freire and Paolo Bettini, have each taken wins at the Vuelta, signalling their strength ahead of their biggest objective of the season.
The course seems to suit Bettini more than Freire, but "El Gato" is known to be a decent climber, and with good legs may be able to surprise the Squadra Azzura. Either way, Freire and his Spanish teammates will make life tough on the Italians in Varese, as they have one of the most potent lineups of any country.
Other riders preparing under the radar in Spain include Phillipe Gilbert, Matti Breschel, and Greg Van Avermaet. Gilbert, on his way to Lotto, can probably expect some solid support from Van Avermaet, as he tries to take the rainbow jersey home for Belgium. Breschel is an underrated one day specialist, and the Dane is more than capable of delivering a big time result come race day.
But back to the Spaniards and Italians. Also in the Vuelta are Alejandro Valverde and Davide Rebellin. Valverde is better suited to the course in Varese than Freire, and he too is showing great form at the Vuelta. Rebellin should be viewed as co-captain for the Italians, and is ideally suited to the short steep climbs of the world's course. Rebellin has proven himself one of cycling's best one day riders this year, and may be able to sneak away as Bettini is marked. There are a slew of other contenders not riding the Vuelta, but those that are riding in Spain are all showing themselves ready for the race for the world title.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment