León Sánchez proves race ready in Spain

Spain's Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d'Epargne) concentrated

Spain's Luis León Sánchez (Caisse d'Epargne) concentrated (Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)

By Gregor Brown

Team Caisse d'Epargne put two on the podium of the Spanish Time Trial Championships on Saturday in Talavera de la Reina with Luis León Sánchez first and Iván Gutiérrez third, while Rubén Plaza of Team Benfica snuck in for second. Sánchez, 24 years-old, completed the 27.7-kilometre Talavera de la Reina course in 32'59".

With the win he feels ready to help team-mate Alejandro Valverde vie for the Tour de France. "I prepared very well for the Tour," he remarked in a team press release. "I will to do my best in France to help Alejandro Valverde win the race. Today, I believe that I showed everybody that I am in great condition already." Tour de France favourite, Carlos Sastre (Team CSC), finished 1'46" back.

The Spanish men will contest their national road race championship Sunday.

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