David Arroyo represents Caja Rural-Seguros RGA and its best chance yet at Spanish grand tour
Cannondale Pro Cycling finalized its nine-man roster for the Vuelta a España this week, and as expected, it is full of climbers and rouleurs meant to surround general classification leader Ivan Basso.
The Italian registered team will carry a multinational squad, with four Italians, as well as representatives of Canada, Argentina, Poland, Colombia, and Australia. But Basso’s name will be the language that unites them, as all will be dedicated to helping the Italian veteran place as high as possible in the GC. Rather than being a heavy favourite, Basso will be looking to poke into a surprise podium finish, so the Spanish race is also likely to see some Cannondale riders on the attack, and in the occasional breakaway.
Cannondale’s Cameron Wurf was the first man to break away in the Giro d’Italia in May, and could find himself in a similar position this weekend, as riders leave Pontevedra on stage two after the team time trial on Saturday.
Wurf will also serve as a protector, along with Paolo Longo Borghini and Tiziano Dall’Antonia. For the flat and fast finishes, Cannondale will have Lucas Sebastian Haedo and Daniele Ratto. The latter picked up a total of three top five finishes in the Tour of Poland and the Vuelta a Burgos. He also hit the line first in Burgos stage four, but was relegated due to an irregular sprint.
In the mountains, Basso will have Maciej Paterski and Cayetano José Sarmiento as guides. The Polish rider Paterski is coming off an active Eneco Tour, where he excelled on the punchy Belgian climbs.
Basso has had a rough go so far this season, with injury ruling him out of his beloved Giro d’Italia. But this time around, he is pleased with his build up to another three-week race.
“The path that led me to the Vuelta has gone the way I wanted,” Basso stated. “I am optimistic and confident that I can take a major result. I’ve certainly not been very lucky so far this season, and I intend to redeem it with a top performance. The results and sensations have improved day by day since my return at the beginning of July. My pedal strokes were good in Burgos.
“My ambitions are high and I have a strong desire to prove that I can still give something to cycling. There are top-level riders at the start, such as Nibali, Valverde, Rodriguez, and Kreuziger, and my goal is to be able to compete with them. I’m confident that I’m able to return to a high level, thanks to the support of the team.”
Cannondale for the Vuelta a España:
Ivan Basso, Guillaume Boivin, Tiziano Dall’Antonia, Lucas Sebastian Haedo, Paolo Longo Borghini, Maciej Paterski, Daniele Ratto, Cayetano José Sarmiento, Cameron Wurf
David Arroyo leading improved Caja Rural squad:
Having just completed a second place overall finish at the Vuelta a Burgos, David Arroyo gets a leadership opportunity with Caja Rural-Seguros RGA at the Vuelta a España.
Arroyo is in his first year with the Spanish continental squad after eight years spent with the Movistar organization. His racing has been limited as a result, but the 33-year-old has made the most of his opportunites. The former Giro d’Italia podium finisher will have the spotlight on him again in Spain, and he has the team to back him up.
After several participations in the Vuelta, Caja Rural have slowly built up a nice list of accomplishments. Antonio Piedra soloed to victory in stage 15 last year (pictured), and he returns to the squad this year. Javier Aramendia made his name in breakaways in 2012, and he too returns.
The well-liked diminutive Spaniard Amets Txurruka will likely play an active role, especially after picking up his first two career victories this year in the Vuelta a Asturias. Ivan Velasco also brings in Tour de France and Vuelta a España experience from time spent at Euskaltel-Euskadi.
“Our riders will come in with high expectations, hoping to do as good a job as possible for the team,” said director Eugenio Goikoetxea. “The image of the team has been good throughout the year, with good performances that have helped move the team forward.”
Goikoetxea stated that he would like to see more of the same from Txurruka and Piedra, and that Arroyo “is in line for a top ten overall.”
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA for the Vuelta a España:
Javier Aramendia, David Arroyo, Andre Fernando Cardoso, Fabricio Ferrari, Marcos Garcia, Francesco Lasca, Antonio Piedra, Amets Txurruka, Ivan Velasco