Denis Menchov and Carlos Sastre are ready to lead the Geox-TMC team in the Vuelta a España, which starts this afternoon with a team time trial in Benidorm. Both riders have plenty of Grand Tour pedigree, with Menchov a two-time Vuelta winner, in 2005 and 2007, while Sastre won the Tour de France in 2008, as well as finishing second to the Russian in both of his Vuelta wins.
In a press conference on the eve of the race, both riders declared themselves ready to work together; expressing confidence in the strength of the team that has been selected to support them.
"My physical condition is good," said Menchov, who finished eighth in the Giro d’Italia in May. "I'm ready to take on this Vuelta, both with my legs and my head. I like the course, it’s quite hard and has a lot of climbs, but I think the individual time trial in Salamanca will make the difference.”
With so many riders out to win the race, the Russian knows which riders to look out for.
“My rivals will not be only Igor Antón [Euskaltel-Euskadi] and Vincenzo Nibali [Liquigas-Cannondale],” he explained. “There are also a lot of other good climbers; riders to watch include Michele Scarponi [Lampre-ISD] and Joaquím Rodríguez [Katusha].
"To do well in a three-week race it’s important to be well in good form, to have luck and to have a good group: I think that our Geox-TMC team is very well balanced to meet the challenge ahead.”
Since the team was denied an invitation to the Tour de France, where Menchov was third in 2010, the Giro and the Vuelta have taken on even greater importance, with a third victory for the Russian becoming an important target.
“This is a priority for me,” he confirmed. “I have taken two prestigious victories here, in 2005 and 2007, and I’m here to get another important result.
“However,” he concluded. “I face the Vuelta calmly and do not feel any pressure."
Sastre’s season has been less successful than Menchov’s, with health problems meaning that he was only able to manage 30th in the Giro. Third place in the Österreich-Rundfahrt in July showed improved form however, and he too starts the Vuelta with the condition that he wants.
"I feel very good physically,” said Sastre. “After a difficult season I feel that my form is good. I am very motivated and I come here thinking about having a good race.”
Lie Menchov, Sastre acknowledged that there are a number of riders to watch in the race, but feels that the two-headed Geox-TMC is as strong as any.
“There are a lot of strong riders,” he said, “but I think I’m starting with the same options as them. As for our team, I think it is very competitive, and the inclusion of Denis gives us an edge over rivals because of the results he has had in previous editions of the race.”
Sastre turned 36 years of age this year but, despite this, he is still refusing to think about retirement; even when asked directly about the subject.
"The Vuelta is important for me for a good end to this season, but only that," he said. "Age does not concern me and I have the enthusiasm and desire to continue."
Although Geox-TMC’s two main sponsors are Italian, the team has always had a decidedly Spanish flavour. This, coupled with it’s non-invitation to the Tour de France, makes the Vuelta even more important.
"This Vuelta a España is a crucial race for our team," explained team director Joxean Fernández Matxin. "We have two strong stage race riders in Sastre and Menchov. Two leaders like them is an advantage for our team, and together they can work very well.
“But the team is not only Denis and Carlos,” he continued. “The other seven men in the team have a good level, with climbers like Spaniards Juanjo Cobo and David Blanco, and Colombians Fabio Duarte, a young rider who has shown talent and returns to racing here, and Mauricio Ardila, an invaluablebike racer with his experience in big stage races… Not forgetting the great job that surely will be [David] De la Fuente, [Matthais] Brändle and [Dmitriy] Kozonchuk.
“I think that Geox can breathe in this Vuelta,” he added, referring to the “Respira” breathable soles patented by the Italian shoemaker.