Carlos Sastre attends Spain’s National Beef Congress in Ávila
.
.The cyclist will participate in a round table about how consumers perceive quality products
..
.19/11/2008
Carlos Sastre will attend day two of Spain’s 3rd National Beef Congress organised by the Ávila Meat Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in collaboration with INVAC, which will be held from the 19th to the 21st November in the San Francisco Auditorium of Ávila.
The cyclist, who is from Ávila, will participate in a round table entitled “How do consumers perceive quality products”, where different points of view will be put forward and discussed regarding food with quality seals and especially Spanish meat products (such as Ávila Meat).
Carlos Sastre will attend this event having just arrived from Strasbourg, where he was the guest of honour at the World Diabetes Day meeting held in the European Parliament. He will donate his fee to the Down Syndrome Foundation. This year, the organisers opted for the slogan “the importance of sport in child diabetes”.
“It has been a moving and enriching experience to see how naturally and determinedly eight and ten-year old children explained to politicians how they live with this disease”, said Sastre at the end of his speech to the children, parliament members and media.
“Other elite sportspeople who suffer from diabetes were there and one journalist basically asked me what I was doing there. My answer was that until now, I knew very little about child diabetes. But I do know that by attending, I can help to raise awareness about this disease throughout the rest of the world and in turn help these children, and that is enough reason for me”, said the cyclist who is now ambassador of Spanish sport in the European Parliament.
Armstrong, Cavendish and Sastre, the three most popular cyclists on the Internet
.
.Sastre, ninth most famous sportsperson in Spain (first cyclist)
..
.17/11/2008
Esperando Contenido Widget ...
Lance Armstrong is by far the most popular cyclist on the Internet according to the specialist website www.lalistawip.com, which measures the fame of all kinds of public figures through the number of times they appear on the Internet.
With 8,089,980 references to date (this figure can of course vary every day), the seven-time winner of the Tour has double the number of references than the second cyclist, who is none other than British cyclist Mark Cavendish, with over three million entries. The third position is taken by Spanish cyclist Carlos Sastre with 2,871,261 hits.
In the “Top 20”, we can find a mixture of current cyclists with a great deal of Spanish sportsmen such as Alberto Contador (5th) with almost 900.000 entries, Samuel Sánchez (7th) and Alejandro Valverde (10th), with other ex-riders such as Jan Ullrich (4th), Eddy Merckx (6th) and Marco Pantani (16th), as well as others who are more famous for their activities off the road, such as Michael Rasmussen, Floyd Landis and Ullrich himself.
Sastre, ninth most famous sportsperson in Spain (first cyclist)
Sastre is the ninth most famous Spanish sportsperson (whilst Alberto Contador is in 22nd position} in a list that is headed by Rafael Nadal and Luis Aragonés. And only one track rider can be seen amongst the top positions - Joan Llaneras, whilst the two best mountain bikers – Marga Fullana and José Antonio Hermida - are much lower down on the list.
On a regional level, no other cyclist is the most famous person in their home region, with the sole exception of Alejandro Valverde in Murcia.
Just out of interest, Barack Obama and George Bush are the two most famous people on the planet, with over 200 million entries, whilst in the sports section, the world’s most famous sportsman is David Beckham, with 43 million entries, and on the same list, Armstrong comes in 23rd.
Carlos Sastre is guest of honour at the World Diabetes Day in Strasbourg
.
.He will give a talk and participate in a round table on the importance of physical
activity and sports in child diabetes
..
.16/11/2008
Carlos Sastre will be the guest of honour at the events held for the World Diabetes Day, which will take place from the 18th to 20th November at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The organisers of these days (whose slogan is “the importance of sport in child diabetes”) have chosen the winner of the Tour thanks to his special commitment and empathy for problems suffered by children.
The Spanish cyclist will participate on the second day (Wednesday 19), giving a talk on the benefits that a good diet and physical activity can provide children that suffer this illness. He will attend meetings with various members of parliament and the European Commissioners for Health, Sport and Education.
We will then participate in a round table event in which 80 people will collaborate. Children and elite sportspeople that suffer from diabetes, parliament members and organisers will discuss the benefits of sport and physical activity for children with diabetes.
Finally, Carlos Sastre will give a press conference to the media present at the event before returning to Spain.
. Sastre closes the season at the ACP Criterium
.
.The race will take place this Sunday, 16 November in Boadilla del Monte (Madrid)
..
.13/11/08
Carlos Sastre will put the final touch to the 2008 season this Sunday, 16 November in Boadilla del Monte in the Madrid region, with the 15th Championship of the Association of Professional Spanish Cyclists.
Forty professional cyclists will compete in this year’s Championship, including name such as Contador, Valverde, Samuel Sánchez and Sastre himself, who will pay tribute to Joan Llaneras, the double Olympic track champion in the Beijing Games.
The morning cycling race includes races in all the categories. The first, for kids, will start at 11:00 a.m. The professional Criterium will begin at 11:30 a.m. and involves a team time-trial, a road race with bonus sprints, an individual time-trial and the elimination race, finishing at 2 o’clock sharp.
Carlos Sastre visits the Kinderkankerfonds Foundation and the Sastre fan club in Aalter
.
..
..
.Ghent (Belgium), 10/11/2008
Carlos Sastre travelled to the University Clinic of Ghent once again this Monday to visit the cancer patients at the Kinderkankerfonds Foundation, an association for children that he has collaborated with for several years now. Sastre already shared the Tour de France yellow jersey with “his children" (as he calls them), in July this year.
In the evening, the Spanish cyclist, who travelled to Belgium with his wife and his parents, attended a dinner in his honour which was organised by the members of his fan club in Aalter.
Collaboration with the “Vidha Project” in Kenya
Carlos Sastre also collaborated with the Vidha Project (Kenya) last weekend, which is directed by Doctor Santiago Moreno, head of the infectious diseases department at the Ramón y Cajal Hospital in Madrid. He similarly participated in an ophthalmology project that Doctor Purificación García has been carrying out in the Paediatric Oncology ward of the La Paz Hospital in Madrid.
The winner of the Tour made a financial donation and donated a signed jersey for the prize draw of the Sid-Can Padel Tennis Trophy (Association for Research into Cancer and AIDS), which was held in the Reebok Sports Club La Finca in Somosaguas (Madrid).
Sastre opens the Occupational Health
and Safety Congress .
.
.The Spanish cyclist underlined the importance of road safety education for children .
..
.Burgos, 05/11/2008
Carlos Sastre gave the opening speech of the 3rd Occupational Health and Safety Congress of Castile-Leon this Wednesday, which brought 500 health and safety experts to Burgos for over three days.
The Spanish cyclist highlighted the importance of educating children in road safety from an early age to prevent possible accidents in the world of sport. In reference to the road safety awareness campaigns often launched by the Traffic Authorities, he stressed how important it is to convey a more optimistic and less disastrous message. In his speech, he backed the mutual respect that should exist between cyclists and motorists, reminding the audience that at some point all of us can belong to either of said groups.
Finally, the winner of the last Tour de France went through the risks inherent to his profession, saying that “we mustn't forget that cycling is a risky sport", and mentioned improvements that technology and industry have afforded in terms of cycling equipment in recent years. He stated his firm belief in using a helmet at all times, despite the fact that this is not always the most comfortable option: “Between comfort and safety, I opt for safety”, the cyclist highlighted in his speech.
Giro and Tour in 2009
After his speech, which received a huge applause from the audience, Carlos Sastre gave a press conference to the Burgos press, who were keen to discover the cyclist's future plans. The Spanish champion recognised that "it is very likely that next season’s goals will take the form of the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia”.
The ex-CSC cyclist said “next season is pretty much planned, but we will know for sure in December, during the team’s first meeting, when the calendar will start taking proper shape and when we’ll decide who will be riding in which races”.
With respect to his signing to the Cervélo TestTeam, Sastre confirmed that "it's a special, significant challenge", and that he is looking forward to it with "bags of enthusiasm and real motivation”.
Carlos Sastre also spoke of his "complete respect" for Lance Armstrong upon the announcement of his return to the sport. “He won the Tour de France seven times and nobody else has ever achieved that. It’s not something that takes my motivation away, I mean, I'm not worried whether he'll be faster than us, what shape he'll be in or anything like that. It’s true that his return has been very media-focused and that’s for a reason, but until we see him riding, it’s not something I’ll lose sleep over”.
. Carlos Sastre feels motivated by Armstrong's return .
.The winner of the Tour attended the Quinto Cecilio Cycling Club presentation in Medellín (Badajoz) with Antequera and Chozas
.
.02/11/2008
The last winner of the Tour de France, Carlos Sastre, said that the American cyclist Lance Armstrong’s return to the race will give him a “special motivation”. “It is the first chance I will have to win against him and that really motivates me”, he said.
Sastre made these statements in Medellín, Badajoz, where he participated in the presentation act of the town’s 'Quinto Cecilio' cycling club, together with ex-cyclist Eduardo Chozas and the national coach, Francisco Antequera. “When Armstrong was in his splendour”, said Sastre, “he only raced in one big race, the Tour; I can’t imagine seeing him racing in two big tours; I haven’t seen him do it and I don’t think I will see him do it”.
The current champion of the French round has stated that the return of the American cyclist “is an incredibly important media issue for this sport, as now people are talking about strictly sporting matters and leaving other issues to one side that aren’t so important but have been for this sport”, he said alluding to doping cases.
Carlos Sastre believes that we need to allow some time for the return of the seven-time winner of the Tour: “”we need to wait for him to start up his season and we will see what happens, we can comment later. The minimum he needs right now is everyone's support”.
Carlos Sastre has seemed really enthusiastic about his incorporation in the Cerveló team. He says that the project is not only connected to professional cycling, but also “opens doors in other directions, like being closer to sponsors and sponsors’ clients”.
According to Sastre, his new team is one of the first to be created by people who are not ex-professional cyclists. The project will involve young cyclists and will have cycling schools in different European countries.
. Carlos Sastre chosen as one of the Europa
Press “Leading Personalities of the Year” .
.He will be honoured alongside Elena Furiase, Teresa Perales, Susanna Griso,
Roberto Arce and Saúl Craviotto
.
.29/10/2008
Carlos Sastre has been chosen as one of the “Leading Personalities of the Year” by Europa Press Reportajes. For two decades, a department of this press agency has been selecting the personalities that have shone the most over the previous twelve months and then carry out an artistic photo shoot.
Europa Press Reportajes selects personalities who have received important awards or whose work has proven to be particularly outstanding in 2008. Each photograph shows four or five people from different spheres such as theatre, science, art, fashion, communication, history, sports, cinema and music.
Carlos Sastre, who has been recognised for his victory in the Tour de France and his cycling career, will appear in a photograph alongside five other “leading personalities” from 2008: Elena Furiase: actress in “El Internado” (The Boarding School), the series that took the TP de Oro award for the best television series; Teresa Perales: five medals and two world records for swimming in the Paralympic Games in Beijing; Susanna Griso: Micrófono de Oro (Golden Microphone) award in the television category; Roberto Arce: Antena de Oro (Golden Aerial) for the News on RTVE 1 and Saúl Craviotto: Olympic champion in Beijing for canoeing and the best European Police sportsman.
. . The winner of this year’s race expresses his views about the 2009 Tour. . Sastre: “The route really suits me" .
. París, 22/10/2008
“The 2009 Tour de France is different, creative and new in terms of the route.” It is a hard route that starts off in a difficult way, but I think the home straight will be a lot tougher and really spectacular, with a 40 km time trial and two mountain finishes – with the amazing finish on the summit of Mont Ventoux on the penultimate day of the Tour.
The race kicks off with a demanding 15km time trial and moves to Arcalis in the seventh stage, which will be ridden in Catalonia. It will therefore be really important to start the race in good physical conditions and to keep it up throughout the three weeks to reach the home straight with strength and enthusiasm, as I think the Tour de France will be decided in that last week.
On a personal level, I think the route really suits me, as it follows this year's trend of having few time trials - I think there are 55 kilometres in total and then the team time trial. It therefore gives climbers like me an incentive, as time trials are not our speciality. And as I said at the start, I think that this year is special for a lot of reasons, but above all, because of the uncertainty that has arisen over changing the final time trial for a mountain stage. And that could hold a surprise or two in store in deciding the winner of this Tour de France”.
. Carlos Sastre to attend ‘09 Tour presentation . The cyclist will pair up with Gustov in the Coppa Lella Mentasti on Sunday . 17/10/2008
The winners of the last three Tour de France: Spanish riders, Oscar Pereiro (2006), Alberto Contador (2007) and Carlos Sastre (2008), will attend the presentation of the 2009 Tour de France, held in the great hall of the Conference Centre.
The route of next year’s French race will be unveiled by the director of the Tour, Christian Prudhomme, in the presence of Albert II, Prince of Monaco. The race will start in the principality on the 4th of July.
Pair time trial in Borgomanero
Before setting off to Paris, Carlos Sastre went to the Italian town of Borgomanero this weekend, to take part in the fourth Coppa Lella Mentaste on Sunday. This race is a pair time trial and the winner of the Tour will be accompanied by the Ukrainian cyclist, Volodymir Gustov.
Carlos Sastre, who travelled together with his wife, visited the Nobili bathroom fittings factory, one of the sponsors of the CSC-Saxo Bank team and of the cycling race organised by the Arona Cycling Association.
. Carlos Sastre supports the school campaign
“Look after yourself, it’s worth it” . Ávila, 16/10/2008
Another tribute for the Ávila-born cyclist Carlos Sastre, for his performance in the Tour de France: the tribute from the “Las Nieves” School, where his children study. For Sastre, this has been a “very special tribute” as it was paid by the schoolchildren of the Ávila school, many of whom where dressed in yellow t-shirts as a symbol of the yellow jersey that the cyclist won in the French Tour.
Sastre was proud to sponsor a campaign that aims to encourage healthy life habits amongst children through a healthy diet and exercising in the fresh air. “Food is the base of all that we can do on a bike and off it, whether studying, working or anything else, in the best conditions”, stated Sastre, who was received amidst the claps and cheers of the students, before being asked a multitude of questions by them.
The winner of the Tour de France told children that “there are many ways of having fun without sitting in front of a Playstation”. Reminiscing about his childhood, he recognised that “at the beginning it was very hard”: “My friends did things that I couldn’t do, because maybe I had to compete in Zamora the next day and I had to go to bed early. That was difficult for me, but then I also started to share the same tastes as my friends and that helped me to get through it, at an age when you have a lot of doubts", he explained.
The aim of the campaign is to improve what the students eat and encourage them to exercise. The days will also include walking routes, chats and healthy lunches.
aviladigital.com / gentedigital.es
. Carlos Sastre sailed in the Tommy Hilfiger catamaran and the Delta Lloyd . The winner of the Tour was one of the guests at the Volvo Ocean Race . Alicante, 12/10/2008
Spanish cyclist Carlos Sastre enjoyed an unforgettable experience last weekend in the Mediterranean waters of Alicante, for the official start of the Volvo Ocean Race. The winner of the Tour 2008 was the guest of honour on the Tommy Hilfiger boat, cosponsor of the Dutch Team Delta Lloyd, one of the eight boats participating in this year’s Volvo Ocean Race.
Carlos Sastre, who was accompanied by his wife and two children, sailed on the Tommy Hilfiger X40 catamaran on Friday. He spent Saturday morning on the Delta Lloyd boat, watching the boats sail out from the quay of Alicante to the official starting area of the impressive transoceanic race.
The skipper, American sailor Randy Smith, instructed Carlos in sailing techniques and showed him all the rooms on board. The cyclist was a first hand witness to the demanding nature of this sport from true sea dogs. For nine months, the 11 members of each crew will face huge storms during their crossing, sailing in icy temperatures, with breaks of just 4 hours and will survive on energy bars and freeze-dried food.
. Leganés paid tribute to Carlos Sastre . After riding through the city, a bike was raffled out amongst the crowds . Leganés, 09/10/2008
The home town of Carlos Sastre, Leganés, paid tribute to the cyclist on Thursday 9th in an event organised by the Leganés Sports Foundation in collaboration with Ciclope.
The cyclist was accompanied by the Mayor of Leganés, Rafael Gómez Montoya, and rode through the streets of the city on his bike, joined by all the residents. The route started in Plaza Milenio and finished in Plaza Mayor, the home of the City Council.
There, Sastre was paid tribute by Leganés and his fellow countrymen. “I’m glad to come home after fifteen years, it reminds me of my childhood", said a somewhat moved Carlos. At the end of the cycle, a bike was raffled out amongst all the fans present and was given out by Carlos Sastre himself.
Juan Vicente Herrera, president of Castilla and León Government receives Carlos Sastre in Regional Parliament
. President of Castilla and León Government receives Carlos Sastre in Regional Parliament . Juan Vicente Herrera received a yellow jersey from the winner of the Tour . 07/10/2008
The president of the Castilla and León Regional Government, Juan Vicente Herrera, welcomed Carlos Sastre this morning in the headquarters of the Castilla and Leon Parliament in Valladolid. The president of the Regional Parliament, José Manuel Fernández de Santiago, and the Culture and Sports Minister, María José Salgueiro were also present at the meeting
The number one politician in Castilla and León congratulated Carlos Sastre for his victory in the Tour de France and for his admirable third position in the Vuelta a España. He also praised Sastre for having participated in the Olympic Games, when he formed part of the road cycling team.
During the relaxed meeting, president Herrera showed a special interest in the work carried out for cycling by the Victor Sastre Sports Foundation, run by the cyclist's father. He went on to encourage the Culture Minister to collaborate with this Foundation as far as possible.
By way of thanking the President of the Regional Government, Carlos Sastre presented him with a yellow jersey from the Tour de France. Later on, he was accompanied by the president of the Parliament, Fernández de Santiago, on a tour around the Parliament building.
FOTO: Tim de Waele
. Yellow pilgrimage to the Virgen de
Sonsoles Sanctuary . . 30/09/2008
Twenty-eight residents from El Barraco, all sporting some kind of yellow garment, went on a pilgrimage last Sunday, 29 September to the Virgen de Sonsoles Sanctuary, accompanied by Máximo Javier López who had promised to walk the 22 kilometres between the town and the sanctuary.
Máximo, a guard in the Valle de Iruelas forest reserve had made his promise public in a moving letter in the El Barraco festival book, in the event that Carlos Sastre won the Tour de France this year. After witnessing his neighbour’s heroic deed, not only at the Alpe d’Huez but also winning the overall Tour, Máximo fulfilled his promise by inviting his countrymen to accompany him either on foot or by bike... or any other kind of transport for that matter, with the sole condition that they wear a piece of yellow clothing. 27 residents from El Barraco accompanied him in his pilgrimage to the Sonsoles Sanctuary.
PHOTO: Tim de Waele
. El Barraco pays another tribute to Carlos Sastre for his performance in the Vuelta . . 27/09/2008
On Friday evening, Carlos Sastre received the affection of his loved ones in a heart-felt tribute. The residents of El Barraco paid homage to the cyclist after his performance in the recent Vuelta a España, where he came third in the overall ranking a month after winning the Tour de France.
This time the crowds were fewer and there were no pushes and shoves to attain the champion’s autograph like those when he returned from the Tour. In his town, the same faithful crowd were there to support him: his friends, neighbours and family that have showered him with affection and support after every Vuelta a España and Tour that he has competed in.
From the balcony of the Town Hall, Sastre thanked all the residents of El Barraco for their tribute, especially after a Vuelta that had been particularly hard on him due to differences with the team. “Your affection has driven me on” he told them from the balcony, where he also announced that his entry into the Cervélo team will allow him to do “great things that I hope you will see”.
“I had imagined a different Vuelta”
As the winner of the Tour assures, he “fought hard” for his third place finish in the Vuelta. “I had imagined a different Vuelta”, he stated in a press conference shortly before the tribute. He pointed out that “the differences with the team complicated the race and didn't allow me to savour the Tour victory, which was the nicest thing about this Vuelta for me”. In any case, he said, the affection of his fans drove him on to keep fighting and to defend his place on the podium.
The new phase together with Cervélo is now awaiting him: this team will be tailor-made for Sastre with the Tour as its main objective and another block devoted to Thor Hushovd, the team’s other trump card. His decision was made public during the Vuelta a España but he had actually decided in August.
His new team, Cervelo, will not participate in many races but the Tour and the Classics will be its number one goals. They will have “young riders who have sufficient experience to help us”. And amongst these will be two CSC team mates, Iñigo Cuesta and Volodymir Gustov (as well as the mechanic that has always been with Sastre in CSC) and perhaps another rider from Ávila: Joaquín Novoa. He has also announced that he could reach an agreement with the Víctor Sastre Sports Foundation and the new Carlos Sastre sports centre.
Source: aviladigital.com
PHOTO: JLR
. Carlos Sastre invites you to act and provide education for children in India . Send a text message with the word ELAN to 7789 from a Spanish mobile before the 3rd October and take part in our prize draw for a Tour jersey signed by Carlos Sastre . 26/09/2008
The winner of the Tour de France, Carlos Sastre, donated a signed jersey to help promote a charitable project to build a school in India. This venture is being organised by Elan in collaboration with the Purkal Youth Development Society (PYDS) in India.
The project consists in providing education for the poorest children in Purkal, India. To date, Elan has donated funds to construct the building, which will be used for educational and social purposes, and will guarantee that every child receives a uniform, books, school material and food.
To be in with a chance of winning this jersey, you can take part in the competition by sending a text message from a Spanish mobile with the word ELAN to 7789 (Cost of the message: 1.2 Euros plus VAT). Please remember that this number is not valid for phones that do not belong to Spanish networks. All the funds raised will go to PYDS. The competition will remain open until the 3rd October 12:00 (CET).
To find out more about the Purkal Youth Development Society, please visit the organisation’s website www.purkal.org
PHOTO: Diario de Ávila
. Carlos Sastre attends the presentation of
the new CSC logo in London . El Barraco Town Council will pay tribute to him on Friday . 24/09/2008
Carlos Sastre travelled to London yesterday to attend the presentation ceremony of CSC's new emblem. CSC is the main sponsor of the cycling team that the Spanish cyclist has ridden with over the past seven seasons. The winner of this year’s Tour de France, who was accompanied by his wife Piedad Jiménez, was the guest of honour and the leading figure in the event held at the famous building known as “The Gherkin” in London.
After a day of sight-seeing in London, the couple will return to their home in El Barraco (Ávila) tomorrow morning. The cyclist will then receive another tribute from his fellow countrymen for his performance in the Vuelta a España. The Ávila-born cyclist finished third, after Contador and Leipheimer – putting the proverbial icing on the cake of an extraordinary season.
Carlos Sastre will be welcomed at 8.30 p.m. by mayor José María Manso and the municipal authorities in the El Barraco Town Council auditorium. All residents from the area are invited to join them in this event.
PHOTO: Tim de Waele
. Carlos Sastre stands down from the World Cup . 17/09/2008
Carlos Sastre, who has a firm place on Paco Antequera’s team, has decided to stand down from the World Cup at Varese today. He informed Spain’s national coach, who understood the reasons that led the Tour winner to make this decision.
“I told the coach that I’m feeling feel really tired, especially on a psychological level, and given these circumstances I would rather that another rider who is feeling a little more rested, enthusiastic and eager should take my place. Someone who can bring more to the team than I can right now. I am sorry to have to make this decision, as I have always felt very proud to race for Spain in this kind of competition, but I think it better for both me and the team not to take part this time. I wish them all the best of luck and hope we manage to secure the title for Spain once again".
PHOTO: Tim de Waele
CARLOS SASTRE TAKES ON ANGLIRU FEELING HOPEFUL . “I think the duel is still on” . The winner of the Tour is waiting for his opportunity in this year’s Vuelta . 12/09/2008
Having completed eleven stages, Carlos Sastre is fourth in the general classification and 1.09 minutes behind Contador, currently in third place. Is the proclaimed duel between you two still on? – which, by the way could not be witnessed in the Tour…
Well yes, I think it’s still on as the one minute, nine second difference in the general classification isn’t a significant amount of time considering the two stages ahead, as long as I’m feeling on form.
Before starting the Vuelta, you said that the Pyrenees were going to be more decisive that the two mountain stages in Asturias. Do you think you were wrong in thinking this or is there little to expect from the next two stages?
I said they would be more decisive, particularly on a personal level. They could have taken me out of the race, and they didn't. I said they were more decisive as, after having spent August with the Olympics, with numerous commitments after the Tour de France and before the Vuelta, the most important thing for me was to concentrate on the race. And concentrating on the race with all these things is not easy. However, I always knew that the race would be increasingly favourable to me as the stages went by. That’s why I said the Pyrenees were more decisive than the Asturias stages.
Contador has achieved his advantage over you in the Ciudad Real time trial (41”), at the end of the La Rabassa stage (5”), the Pla de Beret stage(5”) and the Suances stage (3”), with 18 extra seconds in bonuses. You only took 3 seconds from him in the team time trial. Where can you take this advantage from him?
Well, that’s not something that worries me. I am the kind of person who likes to wait for the right moment and opportunity. And if the opportunity arises and I’m strong enough, I’ll make good use of it. Where? I don’t know. We just have to wait and see.
Who are you more worried about, Egoiz Martínez and Leipheimer who are ahead, or Mosquera and Antón who are chasing you at the heels?
To be honest, none of the above. I have a great respect for all of them, but I am not here to compete against them, I'm here to compete against myself. I know that I have a very nice opportunity in this year's Vuelta a España, and it’s an opportunity that is still alive. If the right opportunity comes along, I’ll fight for it.
FOTO: Tim de Waele
Whenever Contador has broken away uphill, he has won an advantage over you. Do you think he is the strongest man in the race?
Well yes, technically he got an advantage over me. Although I don’t think that a five-second advantage in a very hard mountain stage is a significant amount of time. But neverthless, he has been a little stronger than me up until now.
What lesson have you learned from what happened to Valverde?
Well to tell you the truth, I don't know. I think that he has been dealing with a number of knee problems after the gruelling stage in Andorra with very cold and wet conditions. I was very surprised to see him holding back yesterday, as Alejandro rides well downhill and he always seems to do a good job. But we got incredibly cold riding down the Lunada and perhaps he didn't shake off the cold and get back the warmth that he needed from a jacket or something. When I saw it on the television, it seemed as though he was wearing two raincoats… However, his attention did stray a little and it wasn't the best moment, as it's impossible for the pack to stay together in the descents when it’s raining. And then perhaps his enthusiasm to catch up with the group, which could have exhausted his team out. I think that his nerves played a trick on him there
Are you hoping for a similar kind of slip-up to supersede Contador?
It's not something that I have thought about. The most important thing for me is to keep continuity and to fight for it.
Astana and Euskaltel worked flat out yesterday to get some distance from him. Why didn’t you and your team participate in this task
Firstly, I was thinking that I only had Matti Breschel with me – and if you only have one team mate, you can't make him work. If I got a puncture or had problems with my bike in the final section, I wouldn’t have anyone to help me. I needed another team-mate with me. We then saw that Haedo and Kroon were entering the group, but they were the last to enter and they were doing everything they could to stay there. So, seeing that there were more than enough people pushing on up front, and that the differences wouldn't increase very much, I decided not to sacrifice their work in this task.
How are you doing in terms of strength and morale at this point in the race?
Well I think that every day gets a little bit better. I didn't have an easy start in this year's Vuelta a España, but I’m feeling better both emotionally and physically as the days go by. What will happen from now on… I couldn’t say.
Will this Vuelta witness the same Carlos Sastre that climbed the Alpe d´Huez?
I wouldn't mind.
You have been seen to be rather alone at the trickiest moments of the race… Do you still think that CSC-Saxo Bank has brought a competitive team to this year’s Vuelta?
Well, “alone” in inverted commas. I think my team mates have been with me the whole time up until the last part, even if perhaps not with their maximum potential, but I haven’t been short on support in any of the stages until today. I still believe that when I really need them, they’ll be there.
PHOTO: Tim de Waele
With his future plans revealed, he can concentrate fully on the race . Carlos Sastre: “This Vuelta is really different to the rest and the end will be tough” . Lleida, 05/09/2008
Carlos Sastre has taken a weight off his shoulders today. In the early hours of this morning, his press department released an official press note confirming his departure from CSC-Saxo Bank and his new commitment to the Cervélo Test Team as of next season. This afternoon the cyclist from Ávila spoke to the media in the NH Pirineos hotel in Lleida, where his team is staying prior to the first mountain stage of the Vuelta tomorrow.
Sastre reiterated what he had said in the press release, thanking Riis and CSC for their seven years together and expressing his enthusiasm for his future project with the new team. “I am 33 years old and above all, I wish the very best for the team that I am leaving and likewise, the very best to the team I am joining”, said the winner of the last Tour.
When asked about his reasons for leaving CSC-Saxo Bank, Sastre replied that “one of my reasons behind this decision is that I know there are young riders within the team with a great future ahead and I don't want to get in the way of their progress. Also because a team is going to be created around me in this new project and finally, and above all, because it offers me future prospects with great possibilities on a personal level. That is the most important thing for me”.
He did not want to go into the finer details of the contract. “They have specified a two year contract, but we will discuss this further after the World Championship. We still haven’t finalised the financial terms and the length of the contract”, revealed the cyclist, who did not want to discuss details or names of cyclists and assistants that will join him in this new venture. “I would just like to discuss my own future, not that of my colleagues", he said, although he acknowledged that "it hasn't been an easy decision, because it doesn't only influence me, but also a lot of people who will be with me next year”.
A different Vuelta
When asked about the Vuelta a España and if the team is arriving in good form for the mountain stages, Sastre recalled “it has been really hot and we've been through three stages with a fierce wind, which was very wearing for us all, with tension in the finals. I think we will start the mountains in good shape, but with a fair few kilometres behind us and accumulated tiredness.
On the subject of his rivals, the CSC-Saxo Bank leader stated: “I read in the press that Contador is feeling confident enough about making a more significant impression in the mountain than he did in the time trial. And as for Alejandro, didn’t he say he was going to win stages?, well that’s just what he’s doing… If he says that he is happy with that…I believe him. And if Alberto says that he has his doubts, this being the first time he will race in two important tours, I respect him for saying so as it will be the truth.
Carlos Sastre highlighted that “this year’s Vuelta a España is different to other years as we’ve done six stages before the rest day. Now we will have another six stages and another rest day. Then we will have nine consecutive stages up to the final. So there is less rest time at the end of the race, which will make it increasingly harder and will create accumulated tiredness. And during these last nine days, with no mountains in sight, we will have to deal with the wind and will have to cross a very uneven terrain. All these factors mean that everyone will finish feeling really tired”.
When asked whether he will be able to count on the support of his team after the announcement, Carlos was unequivocal: “I have no doubt whatsoever. They have done so up until now, I have known the majority of them for seven years and the least time I have known the rest is four years, I have no doubt whatsoever about their professionalism”.
On the subject of his “break-up” with Riis, Sastre admits that “when I told him, at first, there was an empty reaction, it was how anyone would react when they receive that kind of news. But even so, our relationship has always involved lots of mutual respect and that is what has prevailed above all else”.
Carlos Sastre confirms his commitment to Cervélo . 04/09/2008
In the past few days, there were many rumors about my future, but none of the information on TV and in the magazines was correct. Now the time has come to talk about my future, and I do this with the utmost respect for my current team, Team CSC-Saxobank. For me personally, these have been seven unforgettable years, and during these years I shared happiness with all the people who were in the team.
But, everything in life has a beginning and an end, and for my future I want to find a new motivation to enjoy cycling. This is one of the most important reasons why I decided to join the “Cervélo TestTeam” project.
At this important moment in my sporting life, I want to explain to you my motivation to make this decision. It must be made clear that throughout my career, the financial aspect was always secondary. I decided for the Cervélo team because it is a new project that really fits with my way of life. It offers to cycling the opportunity to open new frontiers, and work together with our sponsors and their customers in a really effective way. At the same time, we can work at further improving the equipment technology.
This project will open the doors to new dreams for the rest of my sporting career, where I still have important goals.
I would like to use this moment to express my gratitude for the interest of the other teams and for them respecting my decision to join Cervélo.
Finally, I would like to thank Bjarne Riis and all the people involved in this family, at CSC, at SaxoBank and at all other team sponsors for their confidence and friendship during all the years we worked together.
With the warmest regards,
Carlos Sastre Candil
PHOTO: Diario de Ávila
Katyusha bids fiercely for Sastre . Konyshev says "we want Sastre as our leader for next year’s Tour”
02/09/2008 (EFE Agency)
Dmitri Konyshev, the director of the Tinkoff team (Katyusha as of next season), made it known to the EFE news agency that they intend to have Spanish rider Carlos Sastre as their team leader for the new Russian team in the Tour de France 2009. He assured them that the winner of the French race “is considering their offer".
“There is a genuine interest in Sastre. Of course we are interested in a rider like him. We want Carlos to be with us in the Tour next year to try and win it”, said Konyshev.
“If CSC have said that they're not interested in Carlos and we are, we are willing to make a huge effort for him. We have got the money to hire him", he added.
Konyshev revealed his admiration for the cyclist from Ávila, who in his opinion has shown himself to be the strongest mountain rider at present and has also come a long way in the time trials."
“Previously, he was the one working for other leaders and now they are working for him", he stated.
The negotiations are pending a reply from Sastre. “He is thinking it over. He knows that it is a serious and firm offer”, he said.
The ambition of the Russian team knows no bounds, and apart from having already confirmed nine signings, they are even alluding to signing up Alberto Contador “in two years time".
PHOTOS: Juan Quesada
“Contador has prepared for the Vuelta and will have it easier than the rest” .
Spanish News Agency, EFE, interviews Carlos Sastre days before the Vuelta a España
27/08/2008 (EFE Agency)
Carlos Sastre will ride out in the Vuelta a España, which starts in Granada on Saturday, with bags of enthusiasm to get back into racing, after attending thousands of press commitments. The press have been trying to find out everything there is to know about the Tour de France winner, a person who measures his words and whose feet are firmly on the ground faced with the responsibility of being favourite.
Sastre is looking to achieve big things in this race, which he holds very close to his heart and which has given him good results in the past. With four days to go before the race, the cyclist talks of his impressions.
What kind of condition will you be in for the Vuelta after the post-Tour social events and tributes?
In all truth, I feel like I need to get into the Vuelta now and concentrate on the race, as I’ve had to attend to so many journalists after the Tour who were interested in both my professional and personal life. The experience has taught me to take everything in a more relaxed way.
Do you think your success has changed you in any way?
The only change has been in the number of events I've had to attend. Everyone wants to find out more about me. I am still the same Carlos Sastre as the one before July, only now I feel happier as I've made my dream as a professional cyclist come true.
You have always felt very attached to the Vuelta, but if you take part it’s to try and win, isn’t that so?
If I go to the Vuelta, it’s because I owe a lot to the race and the Vuelta owes a lot to me too. I am really fond of Víctor Cordero, the Vuelta director, as he’s always been straight with me and has stuck by my side when I’ve asked him to. The Vuelta has always been written in my calendar and in my mind. I am going to fight for a good result, but I’m not going to put my hopes on something that I’m not sure I can actually achieve. I want to enjoy it. I am nearing the end of my career and I don’t know if I will be in it for one year or two years longer, so I want to enjoy it as much as I can, without obsessing about goals. I am going well prepared and I just want to get there and think about the race. It will be a nice, spectacular Vuelta, with good incentives.
The long-awaited duel between Carlos Sastre and Alberto Contador is nearly here, nothing less than the two most recent winners of the Tour.
I know that it's being promoted as a duel with Contador. I’m not prepared to make everyone happy though. I’ve made my dream come true and that of the people who love me. There are more riders in the Vuelta with a chance of winning, not just Contador and myself.
Contador says that you are his favourite for the Vuelta due to your performance in the Tour.
Alberto Contador went to the Giro without preparing for it and he won. He has conscientiously prepared for the Vuelta, and will therefore have it easier than the rest. He has studied the Asturias and Pyrenees stages and has carried out pre-race preparations. He will arrive fresh. I'm really grateful for his trust in me but I’m not going to take on responsibilities for other people.
This year’s Vuelta has mountains, four mountain finishes and a final time trial in Navacerrada. What do you think of the route?
The route will make for a pretty Vuelta with hard mountain stages and other, less difficult stages but with more press involvement. It has been a long time since we saw such demanding stages in the Pyrenees. The weather will be a major factor in Asturias in terms of seeing big differences or not. Anglira will be the most press-oriented stage.
Can Angliru be compared to Mortirolo?
You couldn’t compare it with Mortirolo. The Italian pass has 14 kilometres at the same gradient and without any rests, it's really hard. Angliru has 6 difficult kilometres, above all at the end with a 23 degree ramp. Other than that, it’s a normal, manageable Asturian-style mountain pass with narrow roads. The spotlight will be on five riders and the rest will ride up it at their own pace. There are more spectacular passes which are less press-oriented. If it rains, it will be hard to stay on the bike and to change pace. It will be nice to achieve something important in memory of my brother-in-law.
You had an important team for the Tour, this time you'll have different team mates.
I’ve got a really powerful team. The first-team riders for the Tour are not coming but those who are coming to the Vuelta have got clear ideas and are enthusiastic about the race. Haedo will give us good chances in the sprint, Kolobnev should play an important role and we have a group of experienced riders who are good all-rounders, including Iñigo Cuesta, Gustov, Blauzdun. They are all motivated to help me.
Well, enjoy the Vuelta and this good moment for Spanish cycling.
Spanish cycling has been attaining good results for a long time now, it’s just that there is a lot more publicity now because of the Olympics or political and social circumstances. In Spanish cycling, young riders are at the same level as the veterans and others, in the peak of their careers, keep on reaping good results. We have been achieving great results for years now.
Carlos Sastre press release El Barraco (Ávila), 19/08/08
In the light of certain information that has been imparted over the last few days, in which I am said to be involved in a new professional team project, and upon receiving requests from the media, I would like to clearly state that:
- My current contract with the CSC-Saxo Bank team is valid until the 31 December, 2008.
- At present, my only concern is to concentrate on preparing for the Vuelta a España, which, second to the Tour, continues to be one of my main goals for this season.
- I will not acknowledge, nor will I deny or confirm any rumour or piece of information concerning my future that may be circulating around the press.
- When the time comes to make a concrete statement about my professional career, I will duly inform the press by means of a press release.
- In the meantime, I would like to be respected in my decision not to comment on this matter, and would not like anything to disturb my concentration during my next sporting challenge.
I would like to thank you for circulating this press release and for the considerate and respectful treatment I have always received from the press.
Carlos Sastre Candil
Carlos Sastre to wear number one jersey in Vuelta a España . 11/08/2008
Cyclist Carlos Sastre, who recently won the Tour de France, will be sporting the number one jersey in the Vuelta a España which will start on the 30th August in Granada. This is due to the fact that Russian rider Denis Menchov will not defend his title in the race which he won in 2005 and 2007, beating Sastre to the top of the podium on both occasions.
On the list of jerseys provided by the organisers of the race, 11 will be worn by Russian rider Vladimir Efimkin (AG2R), number 31 by Alberto Contador (Astana), 51 by Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), number 121 by Italian rider Damiano Cunego (Lampre), 151 by Óscar Freire (Rabobank) and 161 by Australian rider Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto).
Samuel Sánchez praises Sastre’s work “This is not simply a national squad but a close-knit team with a great captain, Carlos Sastre, who told us exactly what we needed to do”
. Beijing, 09/08/2008. Agencies
The Spanish rider Samuel Sánchez appeared to be somewhat taken aback by the gold medal he secured in the Olympic Games road cycling race in Beijing. He praised the work of his team mates Alberto Contador, Carlos Sastre, Alejandro Valverde and Óscar Freire, and trusts that this victory will have a domino effect on the rest of the Spanish delegation in the Chinese capital.
“I am living a dream. When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t know what to do – whether to jump around or what. I told myself “now” and didn’t think about it. I was a little shaken by the humidity and pollution and I made sure that I was properly hydrated during the race. I haven't really taken in what I’ve done yet. It won't start to sink in until I speak to my lifelong friends and my family", revealed Samuel Sánchez in the press conference after his triumph in Juyongguan, on the mountain slopes of the Great Wall. He finished in front of the Italian rider, Davide Rebellin and Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara.
Sánchez, who was congratulated by telephone by King Juan Carlos and the prime minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, said that the Spanish cycling team “is not simply a national squad but a close-knit team, with a great captain, Carlos Sastre, who told us exactly what we needed to do. Antequera has been wonderful – he knows how to put a team together and the result is an Olympic gold medal, which you can’t imagine until you have one.
As soon as the race was over, the anecdotes started to flow. The first to congratulate Samuel were his family, followed by the official congratulations from Spanish prime minister Zapatero and King Juan Carlos.
Then Carlos Sastre has arrived, looking tired but beaming. “What an amazing race! With two bends to go, I asked everyone how they were doing. Alejandro and Samu said they were doing really well, Alberto said he was so so and I told Samuel to give it a shot. Go for it. And he won. Brilliant”.
Its amazing to see the winner of the Tour de France acting as domestique His experience has made him the head of the team, directing his team mates and consoling Andy Schleck, his CSC colleague and rival yesterday. “Don't take it badly kid, it's ok” he said to him at the finish line, after the cyclist from Luxembourg missed out on a medal in the last metre.
El Barraco and Ávila pay tribute to the winner of the Tour .
Carlos Sastre competes in the San Sebastian Classic before setting off for Beijing
30/07/2008
Carlos Sastre is recovering from the feelings evoked from the multitudinous tributes paid to him by the people of Ávila this week: on Wednesday in the town of El Barraco, where he developed his sporting career and on Thursday in the city of Ávila, where the winner of the 2008 Tour resides.
Carlos Sastre arrived at the Madrid Barajas airport last Wednesday with his wife Piedad Jiménez, after competing in two criteriums in Aalst (Belgium) and Stiphout (Holland). He was met there by a large crowd of television cameras, photographers and microphones that recorded his first impressions on Spanish soil.
After talking to the press, the cyclist returned to his home in El Barraco and from six o’clock onwards, the events of an affectionate and kindly tribute began. Everyone from the Ávila town poured into the streets and were headed by the mayor, José María Manso and representatives of different political institutions of the province of Ávila and the Castile-Leon Region.
On Thursday, tribute was made to Carlos Sastre in the city of Ávila, where he and his family were received in the Council Chamber of the City Hall by the municipal authority officials, headed by the mayor, Miguel Ángel García Nieto.
The head of the local authorities repeated his pledge to name Carlos Sastre as the adopted son of the city and to name the sports complex currently being built in the South of the city of Ávila after him "in recognition of his career” and “to give a little something back for the huge contribution he has made to this city”. After presenting one of the yellow jerseys he earned in the Tour de France to the city council, Carlos Sastre walked out onto the City Hall balcony to thank the 2000 people present for their support. “These events restore the energy I need to take on the coming challenges of the season with guarantees, enthusiasm and bags of motivation”, stated Carlos Sastre.
The following day, the rider left for the Basque Country to race the San Sebastian Classic on Saturday before setting off to China with the Spanish cycling team to participate in the Olympic Games in Beijing.
EFE SPANISH NEWS AGENCY INTERVIEW ON REST DAY “The hierarchy of the team remains unchanged since the start of the Tour”
Spanish rider, Carlos Sastre, is not the best cyclist on the CSC team in the Tour de France General Classifications. This is because his team mate, Frank Schleck is now in second place, one second behind the Australian rider Cadel Evans, but Sastre affirms that the team "remains unchanged", the only difference being that now they have two possibilities of reaching the podium.
“The hierarchy of the team remains the same since the start of the Tour, only that now we have two trump cards and if we are clever, we can play this is to our advantage. If Frank manages to dethrone Evans, I will support him one hundred per cent”, said Sastre, who denied there being any rivalry in the team.
The road will be the judge of who reaches the podium and there is still time ahead for things to change.
For now, Sastre states that things are looking "really good" and that his options are open. Sastre claimed that his main rival is Russian rider, Denis Menchov. “He is a touch above Evans and myself. I think he is the strongest in this Tour”, added the cyclist from Madrid, who admitted that the Rabobank cyclist is not taking advantage of his edge and that is why the rest have a chance.
“”We have the possibility to compensate for this as we have two riders with a good ranking in the general classifications and that opens our options", he stated.
He knows Menchov “perfectly” well having raced against him “so many times in the Vuelta a España" and this allows him to predict what the Russian is capable of. “In the climb to Hautacam, I held back as I wasn’t going to leave Menchov and Evans behind- I wasn’t doing badly but I couldn’t have put a great distance between us. The most intelligent thing to do was to let Schleck go”, he stated.
The Danish champion has a better ranking than him now, but this does not worry Sastre, who prefers to work for the team. “Everyone is clear on everything”, said the Spanish rider, who is considered to be the right hand man of the team’s director Bjjarne Riis and together, they make the strategic decisions for the race.
“When we planned my season, I told them that I needed the whole team for the Tour and they respected my wish. In that sense, I’m feeling calm”, stated Sastre, who also affirms having a good relationship with Schleck.
But Sastre is not setting goals for himself . “In past years, I have set targets that I didn’t know if I could achieve and then could be left feeling dissatisfied. Yesterday I enjoyed being with my team who worked really hard and this is my aim, to enjoy it without setting a target”, he stated.
For now he will commit himself fully to the Tour. He will then rest in the hope of competing in the Beijing Olympics and then in the Vuelta a España, where he is planning to “take things seriously”.
CARLOS SASTRE ASSUMES HIS RESPONSIBILITY IN THE TOUR “I am on top form and can’t wait to begin”.
In his long and close relationship with the Tour, Carlos Sastre has secured the title of, if not the number one favourite, at least one of the contenders for victory. He already has five top ten finishes in the French Race under his belt. After his third place finish in 2006 and fourth place in 2007, the veteran cyclist with roots in Madrid and Ávila has meticulously prepared for his definitive attack to reach the top step of the podium. However, his discreet performances in all the races this season, in the lead up to the important race, have raised concern amongst the press and fans.
-Are you too concerned about your condition and performance in the coming Tour?
-The results that you achieve in the lead up to a major race like the Tour only serve to motivate you and to make you more confident that you are doing well. Some riders need this more than others and in my case, what motivates me is the Tour.
-What state of mind and fitness are you in for the Tour?
-I feel on top form and I can’t wait to begin, as that is the only way of dissipating doubts that people may have.
Something that everyone agrees on is that CSC-Saxo Bank is putting forward one of the best teams. Another thing is the discipline towards its leader, who in theory is you. Are you worried about an uprising within the team?
-No, because each and every one of us that will compete there are professional enough to know what we have to do.
-So you don't think you could end up having an enemy on your own doorstep…
-No and for a very simple reason – because all of us will have our moment and although there are very important riders within the team, like Andy Schleck for example, this will be his first Tour and both he and his team wants him to gain the necessary experience that will help him to be the rider that we all hope he will be in the future. But saying that, I wouldn’t rule out his securing an important position if he really goes for it.
-The exclusion of Iñigo Cuesta, your faithful domestique and great friend over the last major stage races, has come as a surprise to many. What is the reason behind his absence?
-The most obvious reason is to save him for the Vuelta España. I would have sincerely liked to have been supported by him and another of our team’s riders in the Tour, but only nine of us are participating in the Tour and these nine riders have been selected because they are in good form, because of their experience and because this is the team that is thought to be the best for this race.
-Won’t you miss him?
-A good friend will always be missed, but Iñigo is happy with the team’s decision and he knows that the chosen team mates are going to fight to win the Tour as much as he would have done.
-All of your rivals have shown greater involvement in some of the races up until now. Are you being the most conservative of them all?
-Until now, yes. I think I am the only one to have taken things so quietly. And above all, I have done so because from now on, I have three months of intense competition and lots of responsibility ahead. To take this on, I want to be calm and in good form. That is the only way I can make the best decisions.
-Do you find it necessary to save up so much strength?
-To be honest, I don’t know. But I made a decision at the beginning of the season and I have stuck to it one hundred percent, because I have always believed that it will be the best for me.
-Are you not scared of risking a whole season on one race?
-No, because whether I do well or not, it is my responsibility. I’m responsible for what I’ve done, knowing that this is the competition that I want to race and why I want to race it.
-Do you think this is your last opportunity of winning the Tour?
-It could be one of the last.
-If you were offered a third place in Paris before starting, would you say yes?
-I wouldn’t settle on anything. And I wouldn’t do it for one reason: because I’m going to fight out the race that has always been my motivation.
-Are you worried that the predictions for Evans, Menchov, Valverde and Cunego are above yours? What is your prediction?
-To be honest, I haven’t even considered it. I’m going to let time tell.
-As they are all on top form, which of them do you fear the most?
-Cadel Evans, as he, together with another rider that strangely enough hasn't been named, are the only ones that have stood above me on the podium.
-You have said that this year’s route suits you better than previous years as the prologue has been cut out and the first time trial has been shortened. After having tested the mountain stages and passes that you hadn't ridden before, where do you think you could win this year’s Tour?
-I think in the Alps and I’m not ruling out the Pyrenees either, they will be the judge of this race.
-Will Alberto Contador’s absence sully the victory of whoever ends up wearing the yellow jersey in the Champs-Elisée?
-We will never know the answer to that question. Like who is the greatest cyclist of all times. If we want to sully the victories, we can say it easily enough: but proving it is something else. Will the absence of last year’s winner be significant? Yes, of course it will. And would the race be ridden differently if he were there? Yes again. But sullying the victory of a cyclist who is capable of overcoming more than 3500 kilometres, with heat, wind and rain… I don’t think there is much chance of that happening.
“We are on the right track” .
Carlos Sastre draws positive conclusions from Dauphiné
Despite what many may think upon seeing Carlos Sastre pushed back to a modest twentieth place in the Dauphiné Libéré general classifications, the rider himself is not displeased with his performance in the prestigious French race. Riders that are said to be his rivals for the Tour have shone in this race.
“I didn’t go to the Dauphiné to win, but rather to see how I was doing and to check my progress compared to previous races. In that sense I am satisfied, as I know how I am feeling and there are still four and a half weeks before the decisive stages of the Tour”, said the CSC rider.
“In these four weeks I know that I have a significant margin for improvement and I am going to reach the Tour how I wanted to – I will be able to give it my all and have a chance of winning", confirmed Sastre.
The cyclist from Ávila does not seem worried or impressed by the level of fitness of the other riders in the Dauphiné. “There were four riders who were clearly above the level of everyone else. I realised that early on, hence my decision not to get involved in competing for the victory. At this stage, if I see that I don’t have a chance of winning, I don’t take risks. It has been really important to avoid falls and other accidents and to realise that I have felt more and more comfortable on my bike as the days progressed. Also, I am not the only cyclist in good shape that has gone unnoticed in this race. I noticed that several riders who will cause quite a stir in the Tour have played out this race discreetly”.
“I can understand that some may feel worried, or even start to lose faith in me, but I have to follow my plan to arrive at the Tour feeling 100% and that plan did not involve me arriving at the Dauphiné in the necessary form to fight out a place on the podium”, concluded Carlos Sastre.
“It’s great news that Saxo Bank are joining the team” .
The CSC leader will put himself to the test in the last stages of the Dauphiné
10/06/2008
Carlos Sastre was informed about the team’s new sponsor before setting out in the second road stage of the Dauphiné Libéré. “Bjarne Riis called me this morning to give me the good news", said the Spanish cyclist who is currently concentrating hard on the French race before the Tour.
“The entry of Saxo Bank to the team is brilliant news. This makes us feel a lot calmer so that we can confront what’s left of the season without any distractions other than the competition itself. I have not once lost faith in the steps that Riis has been taking. He has conveyed a feeling of serenity to us all since the announcement of CSC’s withdrawal and the whole team has felt calm in waiting for what has been formalised today”, stated one of the most important men in the Danish team.
In terms of his performance in the Dauphiné, Carlos Sastre seems satisfied and hopeful before the final stages. “The most important thing is that I have overcome the two road stages without any mishaps. There is a very fast pace and there are a lot of nerves because everyone wants to be at the front, so until you reach the mountain and it clears a little, you have to be very alert to avoid falls”.
After a more than acceptable prelude, Sastre hopes to test his true form in what’s left of the competition. “I have trained hard before this race and now is the time to make conclusions. I am curious to see how I will perform tomorrow in the time trial, but above all, how I progress in the mountain stretches in the last three stages", remarked the Spanish rider.
Sastre: “Dauphiné will be the time to draw conclusions” .
This will be the last pre-Tour race for the CSC leader
