Valverde: "Rain will increase pressure"

By Antonio J. Salmerón

The announced rainy weather on the Vuelta a España stages on Thursday and Friday, as well as the rain also felt during the last kilometres of today's stage 11, does not seem to preoccupy the current GC leader, Alejandro Valverde, "because my teammates are reacting perfectly." Nevertheless, the Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears rider recognized that, "rain could complicate the race, on top of the increasing pressure." As a result, Valverde said in Burgos today, "we have to pay more attention, because some dangerous rival could be included in a breakaway."

The 33 kilometres against the clock in Cuenca will be "distinctive facing the last very hard week of competition," the Spaniard continued, but he remained optimistic about the crucial stage to maintain the maillot oro: "The climb located in the first section of the stage is very good for me; the route profile adapts to my characteristics."