Spanish Cycling Federations announces the World Championships squad
The Spanish Cycling Federation RFEC has announced the final squad for the most awaited race of the season, The 2012 UCI Road World Championships in Limburg, Netherlands.
Team Coach Jose Luis De Santos has selected a final list of nine cyclists for the mega event and all the top names have made it through to the final squad.
"Our nine-man squad has various options, with riders who finished the Vuelta well and who are very motivated in view of a route that could suit them very well, in comparison to other years,” Luis cited.
“But we are not the favourites. In my opinion, there are two teams who are, like Belgium, who has a very strong squad, and Italy, who is always a reference in the Worlds. But this doesn't mean we're not going for the win".
The final squad include three cyclists each from Team Movistar and Team Katusha, one each from Team Sky, Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank and Team Euskaltel-Euskadi.
The final names include, Jonathan Castroviejo, Pablo Lastras and Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank), Juan Antonio Flecha (Sky), Oscar Freire, Dani Moreno and Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi).
While commenting on Oscar Freire, De Santos briefed that the three-time world champion has completely overcome the injuries he sustained at the Tour de France and is certain of his form for the coming event.
"He has fully recovered and is right on schedule as regards his form. And most importantly, he is very motivated. When he tells you that he feels well, then that is really how it is and that's the best guarantee," Team Coach noted.
There are as many as five potential leaders in the Spanish side, including Joaquim Rodriguez, Samuel Sanchez, Alberto Contador, Alejandro Valverde and Oscar Freire.
In the support department, riders like Flecha, Lastras or Moreno are vastly experienced and play a vital role in critical moments.
Alberto Contador will ride the UCI Road World Championships with a fresh Vuelta a Espana victory and is keen to have his hands on the rainbow jersey, especially after missing most of the important races this year.
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