Salmeron: "Nobody wants me in Spain"It is my first professional victory, do you think I'm happy? Those were the first words from Gines Salmeron, even though this is his second season as a pro, until this Ruta del Sol almost nobody had heard from him. "I became a professional last year with Italian Team Saeco because nobody wanted me here in Spain. And that truth is that I was unlucky with health problems. Bronchitis and nasal problems harmed my performance. But the year finished and I decided to prepare well for this season. I have worked hard in the winter and I'm seeing the results".The truth is that he's letting himself be seen at la Vuelta a Andalucia. He escaped at the Sevilla circuit, Monday he was also ahead and yesterday he won the stage. "I tested myself at el Mojon. I saw that I was going well and when the last climb started, I decided to attack to see what would happen. I was trong all the way up the climb, but I suffered a lot in the straightaway that came after that". The entrance to Jaen was pure drame. Mapei was pulling hard and they're getting closer and the finish line is close, the only thing in your mind is to finish. Then it feels like if one grows wings at the same time the meters don't pass. The truth is that I didn't feel victorious until I crossed the finish line". The twenty four year old, Gines Salmeron, as an amateur was a regular rider who didn't win a lot, but he was always with the best. Vandenbroucke to ride VueltaFrank Vandenbroucke, the greatest hope for Belgian cycling, announced his wish to debut in a major stage race by participating at the next Vuelta a Espana, which will be disputed from September 6 to the 28. Twenty two year old Vandenbroucke, who's in his fourth season as a pro, has never participated at any major stage race like la Vuelta a Espana, Giro d'Italia or Tour de France, but has won at Paris-Brussels in 1995 and at the Tour of the Mediterraneo in 1996. The Belgian joins other riders who have announced their participation at the next Vuelta, like Toni Rominger, Gianni Bugno, Maurizio Fondriest, Alex Z|lle, Laurent Jalabert, Abraham Olano, Fernando Escartin and Chris Boardman. |