Despite many controversies around last year’s road race finale when it comes to tactics implemented by the Spanish leaders, the squad – including Joaquim Rodriguez – vows to be totally devoted to support Alejandro Valverde on Sunday, as they’re eager to win the World Championship title on their home soil for the first time since ten years.
Even though the decision to build a strong team around Valverde caused as many controversies as leaving the sixth Vuelta a Espana rider Samuel Sanchez home, even Rodriguez admits that the route in Ponferrada – as it usually happens – suits this year’s Fleche Wallonne winner down to the ground.
“When you’re racing for the national team, you know it’s not going to be easy, to share the team with someone against whom you were beating up just four days ago,” Rodríguez said, according to Biciciclismo. “But let’s not forget that this only our problem, but on every team. That’s what makes the worlds so interesting.”
“No one forces you to come here,” Rodríguez said. “The course is good for Valverde — well, it’s hard to find a course that doesn’t suit Valverde. Once you accept to race, you have to do what they tell you, and do your best for the team.”
Many national teams, like Belgium or Italy, have already announced that they will enter the road race with highly aggressive mindset, willing to cause possibly early splits rather than controlling the happenings. Apparently it’s not going to be a case when it comes to Spaniards, and they will line-up in the event as a cohesive unit and most likely will carry a full responsibility.
“We have to race together if we want to win a medal,” Valverde said Thursday. “I would be happy if we can win a medal, but of course, the goal is to win. Everyone is riding for me, let’s see how the legs respond on race day.”
Despite having the squad build around Valverde – the most decorated rider of the World Championship road race to participate this Sunday – national team coach and the 34-year old Spaniard himself admit that they have a plan “B”, a window of opportunity for Rodriguez in case the former has a bad day.
“Last year’s worlds are in the past, and we’re only thinking about this, and the race on Sunday,” Valverde said. “I am the leader, but we have to see how the body responds. At the start, Javier says I am the leader, but if I am not at 100 percent, I have to let everyone know, and we can change the plan.”
“If I could become world champion, it would be incredible, and I could say ‘finally,’ after being so close so many times,” he said. “It’s not an obsession. With my palmares, I could retire tomorrow and be very happy.”
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