By Monika Prell
Koldo Fernández is waiting for his first victory as professional. The Euskaltel-Euskadi rider became a pro in 2004, and at the moment he is riding the 53rd Vuelta Andalucía (Ruta del Sol), where he has achieved in every sprint-finish stage a top-ten place. Yesterday, in stage 4, he finished third behind Tom Boonen and Danilo Napolitano.
"I feel very good," said the 25 years-old after the stage via fundacioneuskadi.com. "I have to confess that my competition form is not very different compared to other seasons, but I'm getting better in the positioning, that normally is my big handicap. I'm always beginning the sprint in bad position, and even if my strength is very good, I lose a lot while positioning myself; I don't see gaps and I'm loosing positions that I have to regain later."
He thanked his teammate Beñat Albizuri for the "great work he is doing. He is leading me to the front of the race, and every time he is positioning me very well. He's always with me and helps with the work. I look for his rear wheel and he takes me to the front."
Fernández is happy with the beginning of his season. "I achieved good placing at the beginning of this season. During the Volta a Mallorca and the Vuelta Andalucía I finished twice eighth, one time sixth, one time fourth and today [stage 4] third. Due to the experiences I get in every sprint, I'm learning to position myself better. I can't say that I will win yet, but I'm sure that one day I will."
About the team, he declared that it "is acting phenomenally. In the races we are very concentrated; we are in all the escapes. This is not due to luck, it's because we are going very well."
