American GC contender Tom Danielson will spend today’s rest day preparing himself mentally for tomorrow’s time trial in the Vuelta a España. The Garmin-Transitions rider has been looking forward to the 46 kilometre test in and around Peñafiel, knowing that his solid TT abilities could see him make up some ground.
He finished 11th yesterday, slipping back a little towards the summit of the Alto de Cotobello after going on an earlier attack with Frank Schleck (Team Saxo Bank). He ended the day seventh overall, and is surely aiming to equal or better his previous best Vuelta finish of sixth when the Grand Tour hits Madrid on Sunday.
Danielson is just two seconds behind Peter Velits (HTC Columbia) and is one minute 28 seconds behind Nicolas Roche (Ag2r La Mondiale). The Irishman is in arguably his best-ever form in the race and told VeloNation yesterday that he is himself determined to do a strong time trial and to move forward if possible. He is hoping to make up 45 seconds on Frank Schleck.
Danielson moved up a place in the general classification yesterday and was pleased with how the stage went. “Thanks guys for the awesome job today,” he said after the stage. “The team was awesome. I had so much fun out there.”
Directeur sportif Johnny Weltz was similarly content. “Once they hit the bottom of the last climb everybody was wasted. At the bottom the attacks started and VDV [Christian Vande Velde] kept Tommy out of trouble, killing himself on the front until he attacked with Schleck.
“He lasted a long time up front until some 4km from the top. Then Tom P [Peterson] gave him a hand as he came down from the front group. Tommy D did a very solid day which was extremely hard, and he keeps improving on the GC. With the TT after the rest day, things looks good.”
After the time trial, the general classification will most likely be settled on Saturday’s tough mountain stage to the top of Bola del Mundo. For Danielson and the other riders in the bunch, these two days will decide the overall and being physically and mentally fresh will play a big part.