It has already been a fantastic year for Spain's cyclists but on the eve of the start of 2008's third and final grand tour - the Tour of Spain or Vuelta a Espana - hopes are high that the country can once again taste success in it's very own race.
Tremendous 2008
Simply put Spain has experienced spectacular success in road cycling this year. It's 'annus mirabilis' started in April when Oscar Friere won the classic one-day race Gent-Wevelgem, becoming the first Spanish rider to do so in the process.
This was quickly followed by another Spanish victory in the Ardennes Classic Liege-Bastogne-Liege, where Caisse d'Epargne rider Alejandro Valverde took a deserved victory.
As the season moved into it's Grand Tour phase Spain's cyclist's simply stepped up the pressure on the rest of the Peloton.
First of all Alberto Contador used his frustration in being unable to defend his 2007 Tour de France title (the organisers deciding not to invite his Astana team) as motivation in the world's second most prestigious race – the Giro d'Italia – to take a stunning win; all the more impressive for the circumstances in which he won – Contador didn't even know he was riding until a mere eight days before the race started and was relaxing on a beach when he took the call telling him to pack his bags.
Then Valverde followed his win in Liege with victory in France's highly regarded stage race the Dauphine Libere, before Carlos Sastre took the most coveted price of all; winning the Tour de France's yellow jersey thanks to a fantastic ride on the legendary Alpe d'Huez. It was almost a footnote that the country also claimed victory in the points competition with Oscar Friere taking home the green jersey.
August saw Spain's riders come together to ride for their country (rather than their professional trade teams) in the Olympic games in Beijing. Yet again, with the eyes of the world on them, they tasted success with Samuel Sanchez taking the Gold Medal in the Olympic Road Race.
Spain's Success to Continue in the Vuelta?
With Spain's own Grand Tour starting in Grenada on August 30th, hopes are high that the country can continue it's amazing year and claim a domestic victory.
Throughout the early 2000s Spain dominated its own tour taking victories in five straight races from 2000 to 2004, including three by Roberto Heras. However, in recent times its dominance has slipped with Kazakhstan rider Alexander Vinokourov's victory in 2006 sandwiched by Russian Denis Menchov's victories in 2005 and 2007.
This year could be the year that Spain grabs back the gold jersey or maillot oro (the jersey awarded to the race winner). With Menchov not defending his title Sastre and Contador are currently the race favourites with Valverde not too far behind. Riders that could spoil Spain's national party include American Levi Leipheimer and German Andreas Kloden. However, these two riders suffer from the distinct disadvantage that they ride on Contador's Astana team and will not be permitted to ride for themselves unless Contador fades unexpectedly.
With the race featuring a number of mountainous stages, including the monstrously steep Angliru climb, the route favours a strong climber who can also time-trial well and so should suit Contador.
Indeed Contador appears to be feeling confident telling Velonews.com that he was happy with his preparation saying, “ I am feeling good both physically and mentally, so I hope to do well. Of course, winning is the goal.”
With a strong team backing him and a route that suits his abilities, Alberto Contador should ensure that Spain caps a phenomenal 2008 by taking the Vuelta crown. Of course, if he should slip up there will be plenty of other Spanish cyclists waiting to seize the initiative.
References
Cycle Sport Magazine – September 2008 Edition.
