Moreno eyes the Tour de France

Daniel Moreno is currently in Argentina, but is not racing in the Tour de San Luis. The Spaniard has a girlfriend in South America and spent the last two months south of the equator. The Caisse d'Epargne rider prepared in Argentina for the upcoming season – a season in which he dreams of debuting in the Tour de France.

Moreno has now returned to Europe. "With the great weather I could have stayed a few days longer." He enjoyed the time in Argentina, especially the first month. "I took some vacation," he said. "After that I was ready to work hard on my pre-season training."

Despite the cold back in Spain, Moreno was no slacker. "Today I am in Pamplona for some events with the team." Moreno admitted it took him a while to get used to Caisse d'Epargne, but all is well now. "There is a great atmosphere between the riders and we are lucky to have a director like Eusebio Unzue, who always is by your side. This year I already know where I am, what my races will be and what objectives I have. That is much better for your mind."

Last weekend was very important for Moreno. "I worked with a biomechanic in Barcelona who was recommended to me by a friend of the team. I want to improve my position on the bike. To be honest, it is a radical change. He told me I sit very low and stiff. Now it is a matter of getting used [to the new position] as quickly as possible."

Moreno will start in Mallorca "although I may only do the first or second stage." The reason for the short season start is his first major race, the Tour Méditerranéen. It starts on February 11, when the Trofeo Mallorca is still going on. He will continue with Haut Var, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Sanremo and Amorebieta, before heading to the Belgian Classics.

The first major objectives for Moreno are the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. "I would like to do well in those races because they suit me really well. There are other team members who will be ahead, like Valverde, but I'd say he will concentrate on the Tour. Let's hope we can do well. And if things go right for me..."

Moreno will almost certainly come back to his home tour, the Vuelta a España. "I think I can do better than this year." Moreno finished 12th overall in 2008. His big goal is a debut at the Tour de France, but at this moment, nothing is certain. "I am a reserve rider. It is the dream of every professional to ride the Tour de France, and it is a race that I could be doing well. But I have no illusions, especially since it is the grand objective for the team and naturally Valverde. I thin Alejandro can win it."