Luis León Sánchez is ready

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Caisse d'Epargne will count on three candidates (Iván Gutiérrez, Luis León Sánchez and Imanol Erviti) to take the medals this evening in the Spanish time trial championships in Cuenca, same town where the road race will be contested on Sunday.

Luis León Sánchez described the route of the time trial as "very hard, but not technical." He assured Cyclingnews that he feels "very well and motivated."

Sánchez hopes to have a good ride and then receive good news for his Tour de France participation. The Caisse d'Epargne staff has yet to decide between him and Gutiérrez for the Grand Tour. "Whatever the decision it will be accepted by me," he continued. "I have been training very hard for the Tour, so not to be there would be a bit frustrating for me."

The 24 year-old rider debuted in the Tour in 2005 with Liberty Seguros but he was unable to race last year. "I know that I need more experience but I think that I have already demonstrated to be able to defend myself on all types of terrain.

"I know that if I go to London that I have to do as well as possible. It would be a great pleasure for me to help to Pereiro, Valverde or Karpets to win the Tour, and I trust that they are able to do it," Sánchez added.