Sastre to skip nationals

Carlos Sastre (Cervélo TestTeam)

Carlos Sastre (Cervélo TestTeam) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Defending Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre will skip participation in his national championships in order to rest at home before the Tour de France, he announced this weekend.

The rider from Avila returned home Friday evening after spending five days reconnoitering the Alpine stages of the Tour. He had considered riding the championships as a final test before the French Grand Tour, but decided to spend more time with his family instead.

Sastre's review of the mountain stages was satisfying. "It was a very important focus," said Sastre. "For me it has meant returning to training after the end of the Giro. We had a good time and we were able to get in quality training on route of the Alpine stages of the Tour."

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