Sam San Comes To Race Vuelta (NOT Tour) Next Year

by ursula on Nov 17, 2008 1:22 AM EST

From Velo News comes a well received story from my neck of the woods: Samuel Sanchez is ditching his Tour wanderlust and is going back to what made him so successful in 07: Pais Vasco and The Vuelta a Espana. All together now:

Yea!

As you can see form the article, he's not totally happy with his decision to leave his affair with the Tour de France but he recognizes what's best for him and his team and that's home cooking. Ah yes, that Tour, she's a hottie, but in the morning she'll just kick you in the head. To paraphrase the Grateful Dead, Samu had to learn the hard way to let her pass by.

As for the rest of his schedule, he's not saying but I wouldn't be shocked if he does the same thing he did in 07 to such success:

- Warm-up with Comunitat Valenciana, then Paris-Nice (where he got 9th in 07 and could easily improve on that), Pais Vasco (3rd in 07), The Ardennes triad: Amstel (15th), La Fleche (26th) and LBL (12th), Catalunya (15th), Euskal Bizklel, San Sebastien, Burgos (Vuelta prep), Vuelta a Espana (3rd), Worlds, Lombardia (3rd).

As for the Vuelta itself, I can imagine a mostly similar field as 07 had: No Sastre, but with Sam San, Menchov, Evans, and Mosquera, Anton, etc. (Gesink? Kreuziger?) with the wild card(s) being what Astana and Contador do. With it very possible that the mountain stages not being as tough as this year Samu will be one of the principle favorites. I'm cool with that.

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worlds prep?

Good course for him…

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Nov 17, 2008 1:52 AM EST reply actions

yep

The interview I saw said that Worlds is a major objective. That could make for some interesting shenanigans on the Spanish team. The course suits both Sanchez and Valverde very well. As a Spanish rider, he can’t say that he is using the Vuelta for training, natch. But I like his chances to win worlds better than the Vuelta. But really, it’s far too far from now to say.

by Jen See on Nov 17, 2008 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

Aww but they're such good mates, Sam and Al. I'm sure they'll play nicely :-)

by Albertina on Nov 17, 2008 2:45 PM EST up reply actions

It's true

No Merckx characters there.

CQRanking.com, you complete me.

by Chris Fontecchio on Nov 17, 2008 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

Interesting...

Its hard to imagine any Spanish rider walking out on the Vuelta after the mountain stages are over while staring at a podium spot- which, even if you think Samu isn’t the fave for the Gold Jersey, he’s a major hopeful for a podium spot. Same for Valverde. And J-Rod for that matter. Notice how nicely a Grand Tour win would help all of their resumes- much more than a Worlds win. And remember in 07 Samu got 3rd in the Vuelta then 7th in the Worlds, so unlike maybe Tin Tin, he probably has the confidence to finish the Vuelta then race the Worlds to great effect.

Maybe if The Accountant decides to race the Vuelta again those three will take an early exit from the Vuelta.

As for the Worlds course: reminds me somewhat of the Olympics course. So remind me again- which Swiss rider who is talking about trying hillier courses/races, did surprisingly well in the Olympics and which country is the Worlds course in 09 gonna be held in?

by ursula on Nov 17, 2008 6:12 PM EST up reply actions

Cance

Yes, he did do well in Beijing. The worlds course is harder than Beijing, though.

by Jen See on Nov 17, 2008 6:29 PM EST up reply actions

Really?

I kind of feel the Beijing course looks more difficult. The climb was longer and seemed pretty brutal.

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Nov 17, 2008 6:32 PM EST up reply actions

lol, well, we'll see

But yes, I think Mendrisio is harder.

by Jen See on Nov 17, 2008 6:34 PM EST up reply actions

Yes we shall see

I just hope the worlds next year are as good as the Olympics this year, and go Fabian, I have his autograph so he needs to keep winning :)

"If you go (with a break), you can either win or not win. If you don't go for it, you definitely won't win."
~ Jens Voigt

by Phil H. on Nov 17, 2008 6:42 PM EST up reply actions

interview

En principio creo que no voy a correr el Tour de Francia, sino que me voy a centrar en la Vuelta al País Vasco, la Vuelta a España y el Mundial.
http://www.laopinion.es/secciones/noticia.jsp?pRef=2008111600_11_182225__Deportes-Samuel-Sanchez-unico-pedimos-ciclistas-controles-humanos

by lucybears on Nov 17, 2008 2:40 AM EST reply actions