Samuel Sanchez targeting the UCI Road World Championships 2012
Samuel Sanchez of Team Euskaltel-Euskadi rode brilliantly to claim the top overall spot at the Tour of the Basque Country.
He claimed the top overall spot after the final general classifications with a total time of 20 hours, 59 minutes and 15 seconds.
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver of Team Katusha fell 12 seconds short and occupied the second position.
Bauke Mollema of Team Rabobank, Damiano Cunego of Team Lampre-ISD and Tony Martin of Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step achieved the third, the fourth and the sixth positions in the respective order.
The Spaniard is now targeting UCI Road World Championships as the next big goal of his 2012 season, “At 34 years of age, my only dream left is to win a medal at the Worlds", he noted.
He started his 2012 campaign at the Tour of the Basque Country and secured the third and the sixth stages and also claimed an overall victory at the race.
The cyclist also achieved the sixth stage at the Volta a Catalunya and managed a second overall spot at the race.
Samuel finished fifth overall during the Tour de France 2011 and improved his previous best of third overall during the 2012 version of the race.
He told Marca, “To be on the podium at the Tour de France, as winner of the mountains competition, to get third overall”.
“Even though it didn't happen in the best way [following the doping-related sanction of Alberto Contador in 2010 - ed.], the Olympic medal and now, the Tour of the Basque Country".
Samuel dedicated the Tour of Basque Country victory to his Team Manager Manuel Madariaga.
He noted, “Thanks to him, I've become a bike rider and I'm sure that he's even happier about this win than I am.
“This victory is not only satisfying for me and for the team, but also for our fans who have waited since 2003 ", he concluded.
Samuel made his professional debut with Team Euskaltel-Euskadi in 2000 and has shown faith in the Spanish side.
He has helped the team with numerous wins throughout his extensive career and is currently riding with the side for the 12th consecutive season.
The 2012 UCI Road World Championships are scheduled from September 15 to 23 2012 in Limburg, Netherlands and Sanchez is eyeing nothing less than gold at the annual event.
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