Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team performed reconnaissance of the 27km Vuelta Ciclista a España TTT on Friday. OPQS rider and UCI World TT Champion Tony Martin offered his thoughts on the course, his goals, and more in the text below.
"First of all, I'm happy that it's a little bit longer than normal," Tony Martin said of the team time trial course at La Vuelta. "Usually they are shorter than individual time trials, but this year it's 27 kilometers. So, not long but it is a nice distance. However, it is not an easy course. There are not really any climbs, but it's always up and down. It's really hard to find a good rhythm. It's not easy anyway to do that in a team time trial, but with small hills it is even harder. So, I think that is a challenge; to find a really nice rhythm and a nice speed where everybody can survive and still be fast. I think we will see a lot of destroyed teams tomorrow. One strong guy can put the power on in the hills, and some guys in the end will be unable to follow. For sure, it will be a challenge for everyone. The wind is one direction from A to B, so a team that starts early and has less wind than those that start later has a big, big advantage. I hope for everyone it will be the same circumstances and the wind won't change throughout the day."
"We have a good team here," Martin continued. "I think more or less it's well balanced. I think we are one of the favorites tomorrow and I think we can possibly go for the stage. As for my personal goals at the Vuelta, the highlight is really tomorrow and maybe the one time trial in the middle. I'm also here to support the team and give to the guys all that I can for good results. We have a good team, with some riders making their grand tour debut. I will try to guide them with my own experience. Of course I am also here to find my form for the UCI World TT Championship, which will be my next goal after La Vuelta."
Good luck to all of the riders tomorrow!
