Menchov pleased with Vuelta start
Russian rider Denis Menchov has said he is pleased with his performance in the first few stages of this year's Vuelta a Espana.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's fifth stage, Menchov said he was pleased to have finished 11th after some challenging inclines delivered riders to Valdepenas de Jaen on Tuesday.
“It was a good result for me,” he said to Cyclingnews. “It was the first difficult stage and the finale was really not suited to me. I’m not explosive enough for such hilltop finishes."
Menchov finished third in this year's Tour de France, trailing runner-up Andy Schleck by just over two minutes.
Downplays chances of overall victory
Despite enjoying a long period of rest ahead of this year's Vuelta, the Rabobank rider is one of the favourites to win the general classification in the race, as he did in 2005 and 2007.
But on Wednesday, Menchov did not want to overstate his chances of an overall victory.
"I’m also not in my best shape yet as I didn’t race at all between the Tour and the Vuelta. But the most important thing will be to perform during the second week.”
The 32-year-old is 13th in the overall standings after five stages of racing in stifling heat.
Having spent part of the period between this year's Tour and the Vuelta in the Russia's mid-summer heatwave, Menchov may be less affected by the extreme conditions than the rest of the riders.
To assess chances next week
Despite having begun a strong bid for the general classification, Menshov said he will wait to assess his chances of overall victory until next week and the eleventh stage's finish in Andorra.
“I’ll take this Vuelta day by day,” Menchov added. “Andorra will be the real start of the race. If I can do something on GC, I’ll know it in Andorra. I want to be strong there.”
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