www.cyclingnews.com presents the 57th Vuelta a España, 2002.

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Spain, September 7- 29, 2002

Vai Dani! Danilo Di Luca's Vuelta diary

Danilo Di Luca
Photo: © Sirotti

Nationality: Italian
Team: Saeco-Longoni Sport

Italian speedster Danilo Di Luca from the Saeco-Longoni Sport Team will be writing a diary for Cyclingnews.com during this year's Vuelta a España. The classy rider has been in excellent form leading into the 2002 Vuelta, with a recent victory in the Giro Del Veneto showing he has hit Spain's major tour with motivation and speed. With his consistent performances in Italy during August, Di Luca is looking to the Vuelta with confidence. "The Giro del Veneto was my last race before the Vuelta... we've got big plans for the Spanish race. Simoni will be going for the overall and I'm looking for stage wins."

Index to all entries

September 4, 2002: Vuelta objectives

Hello to all the readers of www.cyclingnews.com. I'm honoured to contribute this diary for the Vuelta a España. It's great to be able to communicate directly with cycling fans around the world via Cyclingnews, who I hope will get to know me better via this diary.

During the Vuelta, I'm going to share my experiences and feelings during the race with you and I hope you enjoy it. This is the third time in my career I'm riding the Vuelta but really the first time I'm going to be a protagonist in the race! My objectives are to win a stage and to take the race leader's amarillo jersey for at least one day. The best days for my characteristics are the fifth and sixth stages so I'll really be focused on this goal right from the start.

As far as the overall race is concerned, I think that the Angliru must be the "queen stage" and I think the eventual winner will be whoever is wearing the leader's jersey after this stage. My favorites for the overall Vuelta win are Beloki, Heras and Sevilla; all these Spanish riders against the top Italians Gibo Simoni & Casagrande. And there could be a little suprise...

I'll leave from Rome Wednesday, September 4, to join my Saeco-Longoni Sport team in Spain. Look for my next report after the Team Time Trial.

A Presto,

Danilo

Danilo Di Luca's official website - www.danilodiluca.com