Millar aiming for Vuelta stage win on Saturday

Scottish rider David Millar will hold back on the Vuelta a Espana’s mountain stages over the next two days in order to have the best chance possible of winning the 27.8 kilometre Toledo time trial this weekend. The 32-year-old finished second behind Fabian Cancellara in the Valencia time trial, conceding 32 secconds over the 30 kilometre distance.

Bert Grabsch (Columbia HTC) was a further four seconds back in third. Both Cancellara and Grabsch have since left the race, making Millar the logical favourite for Saturday’s race against the clock.

“I feel good. I was a bit sick the last few days, I had a stomach bug which knocked me for six,” he told Cyclingnews. “The plan is damage limitation for the next two days, so I am as fresh as possible for the time trial. That’s what I’ve got my mind focussed on now.”

Whether or not he wins on Saturday, he said that he won’t ride the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Time Trial Championship race in Mendrisio, Switzerland. Finishing the Vuelta doesn’t leave him with enough time to comfortably get to Switzerland and to recover prior to the start of the race against the clock. Instead, he will target another goal.

“The road race is my other focus, after the Vuelta TT. It is the first time we have a nine man team, so Britain are taking it very seriously. I want to ride well there,” he said.

The lineup of that squad is due to be confirmed this week. Fellow Vuelta a Espana competitor Roger Hammond (Cervélo Test Team) is also hoping to be selected for the road race.

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