Following are brief profiles of the favorites for the Tour of Spain beginning Saturday, Sept. 7:
Angel Casero (Spain) Team Coast, age 29
Second in 2000 to Roberto Heras and winner last year thanks to a superb final-stage time trial that saw him overhaul race leader Oscar Sevilla.
Casero's preparation for this edition has been far from perfect. An early-season knee injury meant that he missed the Giro d'Italia and made his debut only in August. He will be fresh but may not have the kilometers under his belt to survive the tough three-week test. A classy performer against the clock but there may be too many mountain stages for his liking.
Roberto Heras (Spain) U.S. Postal, 28
After an injury-plagued first season at U.S. Postal the winner two years ago has now settled in to his new team and is sure to be a strong challenger for the gold jersey. Victory in the Tour of Catalunya and an impressive support role for Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France show that he is getting back to his best.
His victory in the Vuelta two years ago was based on his explosive climbing skills and he will relish the challenge of the dizzying climbs up L'Angliru and La Pandera.
Oscar Sevilla (Spain) Kelme, 25
The baby-faced Kelme rider was forced to withdraw from the Tour de France through illness but looks to have recovered form in recent races and is backed by an aggressive team which features 2000 Tour King of the Mountains Santiago Botero.
Lost last year's Vuelta in a gripping final stage when he was overhauled by Casero in the Madrid time trial and will be keen to claim his first major victory.
Joseba Beloki (Spain) ONCE, 29
Lance Armstrong may have stolen the headlines in the last
four Tours de France but Beloki's three consecutive Tour podiums
are no mean achievement. The quietly-spoken Basque is strong in
the mountains and a highly competent time triallist.
He will be aiming to banish the memory of last year's Vuelta
when he was forced to abandon after contracting a viral
infection while leading the race. Backed by the formidable ONCE
team and desperate for a win to rid himself of his nearly-man
reputation.
Igor Gonzalez Galdeano (Spain) ONCE, 28
Two consecutive fifth places in the Tour and a week in the yellow jersey in this year's race have boosted the confidence of the joint leader of the ONCE outfit. Very strong against the clock but will concede time in the mountains. How much will determine whether or not he can win a place on the podium. Runner-up in the 1999 Vuelta.
Santiago Botero (Colombia) Kelme, 29
If it had not been for one bad day, Botero could have been on the podium in this year's Tour. A superb time triallist and a former Tour King of the Mountains who can still produce the goods in the hills. If Sevilla fades he will be ready to lead the Kelme challenge.
Gilberto Simoni (Italy) Saeco, 31
The 2001 Giro winner will be hungry for success after being
denied a place in this year's Tour because of a doping accusation for which he was later cleared.
A brilliant climber who won the daunting L'Angliru stage two
years ago with a sublime exhibition of his skills in the mountains. The shy but determined Italian, who hails from a small village in the Dolomites, is one of the few with the ability to match Heras in the mountains.
Francisco Mancebo (Spain) iBanesto.com, 26
One of the most promising of a crop of young Spanish riders ready to make the most of any mistake by the favourites. Seventh in the Tour and in great form after an impressive win in the recent Tour of Burgos.
Paolo Savoldelli (Italy) Index Alexia, 29
Fine all-rounder who won this year's Giro. Can hold his own both in the hills and against the clock and is an expert at high-speed descents.
Juan Miguel Mercado (Spain) iBanesto.com, 24
Another youngster from the iBanesto.com team, Mercado has targeted this race from the beginning of the season. Won the prize fifth stage to the Lagos de Covadonga in last year's Vuelta and is a match for anyone in the hills.
