Peak performer

Casero ready to rise to mountain challenge

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) -- Spain's Angel Casero believes that he is has a strong chance of defending his crown in the Tour of Spain which begins in his home city of Valencia on Saturday.

"I feel great both physically and mentally," Casero was quoted as saying in Spanish daily El Mundo on Friday.

"I am fresh because this year I have competed only in the Tour of Portugal and a race in Germany. I really think I can win the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) and that is certainly what I will be fighting for."

The Team Coast rider, who will turn 30 during the race, missed the early part of the season because of a knee injury but he insists that he is ready to face the demands of the three-week tour.

"I will cross the start line in Valencia two kilos lighter than last year," he said. "I need to be lighter because this year the mountain stages start earlier in the race."

An expert against the clock, Casero recognises that the main threat in this year's race will come from the crop of specialist climbers anxious to test him once the race hits the hills.

"I think the leading challengers will be (Gilberto) Simoni, who will be fired up after his expulsion from the Giro, (Roberto) Heras, who rode so well in the Tour, (Joseba) Beloki and (Oscar) Sevilla."

But Casero, who finished runner-up to Heras in the 2000 Vuelta after he lost time on the brutal ascent up Alto de L'Angliru, is confident he can see off the threat posed by the climbers.

The Asturian colossus, which has been dubbed the toughest climb in cycling, is back on the Vuelta itinerary this year, but Casero believes he has learnt his lesson after his experience two years ago.

"I failed the L'Angliru test last time. I didn't have the right gearing set-up, but that won't happen again."

And Casero, who rode for the now defunct Festina team last year, says his new outfit Team Coast will provide the perfect support for his bid to retain his crown.

"Festina was a strong team, but now I am part of a more compact outfit. I think we will be in the top three in the team time trial and I am very happy with the way things are going."

Casero and the other 206 riders starting the race will begin the three-week race with a 30-km team time trial around Valencia on Saturday.

 

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