Very strong Spanish team will line-up at the World Championship road race, held in the northwestern part of their home country, with a confidence that their leader, Alejandro Valverde, will finally take the title and rainbow jersey. Even though the course in Ponferrada is considered not entirely difficult, Ion Izagirre and Jesus Herrada insisted that the race will be more demanding than expected and will suit riders excelling in Ardennes classics.

Lining-up at the start on Sunday, Valverde will be the most proven rider in the event as he finished the World Championship road race on the podium on five occasions and – as it was told by race’s huge favourite Simon Gerrans – it doesn’t matter to him what route characteristics are.

Two youngest riders in the Spanish national team, considered a future of the discipline in their country, admitted that the squad will be fully dedicated to support Valverde and that typical Ardennes specialists would be his biggest rivals in a bettle for the rainbow jersey.

“With a leader like Alejandro Valverde, we have to enter the finale with all important cards still in hand. Everyone is aware of Bala’s palmares and we hope that he will win a gold medal here because he really deserves it,” Ion Izaguirre told Biciciclismo.

“It is certain that the race will not be decided in a bunch sprint. This are the Worlds for riders like Alejandro,” Jesus Herrada explained. “ Main rivals? We all have seen in Canada how strong Gerrans was.”

“This race will be much harder that people tend to think, comparable to classics like Liege-Bestogne-Liege so riders like Kwiatkowski, Cancellara, Gerrans, Van Avermaet or Alejandro will play their own game.”