Santiago Blanco takes aim at Sastre complaints

By Iker Rioja

Former professional rider Santiago Blanco has taken aim at Carlos Sastre's post Vuelta a España stage 10 comments. The Spaniard, winner of a stage in the 2001 Vuelta, made his thoughts known in a letter to Spanish newspaper AS.

"I think that he has made a big mistake," explained Blanco. "Whenever his interests are harmed, he blames other riders, just like he did after Landis' breakaway back in last year's Tour de France." He added that "words are worthless, he should concentrate upon cycling, which he does very well".

Blanco defended the riding tactics of Russian Denis Menchov (Rabobank) and Italian Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir). "I know both Leonardo and Menchov, they are friends. If the Russian helped Leonardo the day before, it's quite normal that he returned it yesterday," said the former Banesto rider who completed the Vuelta seven times in his seven year career. "This is what we have always done in this sport."