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

Stage 4 - September 10: Aguilas - Roquetas De Mar, 149.5 km

Cruise Control

Today was a transition stage for both the GC riders and for me...up front in the group was the race leader Beloki and his O.N.C.E.team, Fassa Bortolo and Acqua & Sapone, who chased hard behind the gutsy Gadeo, who was away almost all day. I was really on the alert the last 7 or 8 km today, because the roads were bad and dangerous...that's how Ivan Quaranta crashed!

Today the pace was easy and regular and it's exactly on this kind of stage that riders think what's going to happen to them in the race, their race tactics...as the road wound through Alicante, I was just thinking that I have this incredible desire to match myself against the top riders on the upcoming climbs.

I know that the Saeco-Longoni Sport can do well at this Vuelta and my teammate Gilberto Simoni is in great condition. We really want to be active; to make the race happen, but it will not be easy with riders like Sevilla, Heras and the ONCE Boys. But we still have to give it a shot!

You guys, my major objectives are the 4th and 5th stage, my pistol is ready and the target is there. Now the good stuff is coming, so I'll shoot at the right moment to win...FIRE!

See you tomorrow,
Danilo Di Luca

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

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