Rojas "calm and confident" in view of the Tour

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Spanish neoprofessional rider José Joaquín Rojas of Astaná-Würth is looking for an opportunity in the Dauphiné Libéré, after finishing eighth in stage one from Annecy to Bourgoin-Jallieu. Only two hours before participating in Wednesday's time trial, a discipline which suits Rojas naturally, he said, "it is the Dauphiné Libéré - I am going to prove myself looking at Eindhoven on June 18."

The arrival of the new sponsorship to the scandal-shaken squad seems to have calmed its members: "This [sponsorship] offers us an unquestionable tranquility with respect to our future, as well as confidence with respect to our presence in the Tour [de France] with our leader Vinokourov," Rojas added.

The young Spaniard is optimistic in order to get a victory, "but I am realistic, and I need to have a rest". And he will continue to support his controversial team manager Manolo Sáiz: "I won't engage in discussion], nor leave, because it is not my war. I will continue in this team."