Portal de Murcia
www.portaldemurcia.com
Tomorrow, Saturday August 29, Alejandro Valverde will start at the prologue of the 64th edition of the Tour of Spain with the firm intention to score his first grand tour of three weeks.
We are on the eve of the start of the Tour of Spain.
Having demonstrated your good form in early August by winning the Vuelta a Burgos, how do you feel now?
"I feel great physically and mentally, willing and very excited, but I know that in a span of three weeks, that's not enough.
Hopefully join me luck and health and this is my year! "
You are the biggest favorite to win the final in Madrid.
Is it a source of motivation or good stress?
"It is true that most of the press to me as the biggest favorite for the Tour of Spain.
I have a lot of pressure but that neither more nor less than in every race I go.
I'm used to the fact and motivates me twice.
I am a winner and I like where I'm going to do well.
I know this is a great opportunity for me and I have all the elements to be close to victory.
So why not win? "
What do you think of the route proposed by the organizers?
"Around 2009 will be tough.
The mountain stages are many and very difficult not only for the summit finishes but also the gap during those stages before reaching the foot of the final climb.
In total there is no stage that could emerge as the queen stage because there are several.
Will also play with the heat throughout the south of Spain.
A stage that finishes at the top of Velefique for example, can be hellish.
This Tour will more than likely an elimination race. "
No long time trial.
Do you consider it as an advantage?
"It is true that the less you have to play against the clock the better for me.
There is only 62.5 kilometers in total, including the prologue.
Not much and you have to take into account that the lap of Toledo is not flat.
Presents an overview of the ones I like and because it is the penultimate day of racing will be an advantage to who is cooler. "
How do you see your rivals?
"I think it should be noted not only the hardness of the steps but also the quality of the runners who will compete.
I'll have a few rivals who are very fit and minded to point to the final victory, as Cadel Evans, Ivan Basso, Robert Gesink, Samuel Sanchez, Ezequiel Mosquera and the same Vinokourov also whether the fact that he spent two years without competing can take its toll. "
How about the idea of starting the Tour of Spain in the circuit of Assen in the north of the Netherlands?
"Out of the Netherlands is something very special and rare.
There are times when it's hard to imagine that we are in the Tour of Spain but we have seen that there are many fans and everyone treats us very well.
Consequently, we are very happy to be here.
Despite being out of our country the Tour really starts tomorrow and will have to be very careful because these early stages will be very complicated by the incredible amount of traffic circles and crosses on the highways, and two stretches of cobblestone can be very dangerous. "
Source: Prensa Alejandro Valverde
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