Speedy Gonzalez still hungry

Spain's 'Terminaitor' seeks more success after Tour win

Spain's Aitor Gonzalez is looking to be a team's "sole leader." AP

MADRID (Reuters) -- Aitor Gonzalez's stunning performance in the final time trial that saw him overhaul previous leader Roberto Heras and claim victory in the Tour of Spain won widespread praise from the Spanish press on Monday.

"He rode like a man possessed," said Spanish daily El Mundo. "Gritting his teeth, showing total confidence in his ability and a relentless desire to win, he never gave his rivals a chance."

"He may have been dubbed 'speedy' Gonzalez before," commented El Pais. "But after his performance in the Vuelta 'Terminaitor' is a more appropriate nickname. There was not a chink in his armor as he demolished his rivals."

The 27-year-old Spaniard blitzed his way to victory over the 41.2-kilometer time trial that ended in Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Sunday.

Flying over the gently undulating course at an average speed of over 50 kilometers per hour, he ate into Heras' one minute eight second lead so quickly that he effectively secured his victory by the half-way mark.

A disconsolate Heras was unable to summon a response to the straight-line speed of the specialist time triallist and his dream of claiming his second Vuelta crown evaporated as he entered the Bernabeu a full three minutes 22 seconds down on Gonzalez.

Fellow Spaniard Joseba Beloki, who was second to Lance Armstrong in the Tour de France, finished third ahead of the unlucky Oscar Sevilla who was plagued by mechanical problems throughout the stage.

"I knew the course would suit me," Gonzalez was quoted as saying by sports daily Marca on Monday. "I knew that if I had no problems with the bike I could cover each kilometer at least two seconds faster than Heras."

Key stages

Gonzalez, who finished sixth in this year's Giro d'Italia, said that he had always been confident about his chances of finishing in the top three in the three-week tour.

"When I set off from Valencia I thought I had a possibility of making the podium," he said.

"Thinking of victory would have been madness, but I knew there were some key stages where I would have to try and stick it out and others where I was capable of gaining time."

But the Basque-born rider will have little time to savor his victory as he now has his sights set on the time trial in next month's world championships in Belgium.

"I think I have a chance of winning it," he told Marca. "I finished the Vuelta strongly and believe I am in good enough shape to win the world championship."

His performance in the Vuelta has clearly given the ambitious Gonzalez an extra dose of confidence.

He was widely criticized for his controversial attack on the epic climb to the Angliru on stage 15, which saw him leave Kelme-Costa Blanca team leader Sevilla stranded on the slopes of the Asturian colossus, but it was a signal both of his self belief and of his unwillingness to play a bit-part for the Spanish outfit.

He now admits that there is little chance of him staying with the team when his contract expires in December.

"Right now, and including myself, Kelme-Costa Blanca have three leaders for the big tours and that makes things very difficult.

Sole leader

"After winning the Vuelta I am looking for a team in which I will be the sole leader, where there will be no problems and where I can prepare the races as I want."

Gonzalez's attitude is reminiscent of four-times Tour de France winner Armstrong, the dominant figure in the sport.

Former Tour winner Pedro Delgado believes that Gonzalez has got what it takes to challenge the big Texan in the French race.

"The Aitor that we have all seen in the last few days would be a worthy rival of Armstrong's in the Tour because even though he may not be as good a climber as the American he is a better time triallist," he said.

Gonzalez himself admits that the Tour now features as one of his future ambitions.

"After winning the Vuelta I am interested in trying out the Tour," he said. "But first I have to change and become more focused, without becoming totally obsessive, because there is still room for improvement."

 

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