Spaniard ready to take title number four
Oscar Freire wants to get a fourth rainbow jersey in Copenhagen on Sunday. On the flat course, the sprint-experienced Freire will be one of the favorites, alongside other fast men such as Mark Cavendish, Thor Hushovd or Peter Sagan. Freire is feeling so well that his recent thoughts about retirement seemed to have disappeared.
Freire is happy that the flat course makes him one of the favorites. “This year I arrive at the Worlds fresher than in other years and it is really noticeable,” he said at a pre-race press conference, according to Spanish sports paper Marca. “Also, there are other circumstances like a good physical state, having a team that supports me 100 percent and a finish that is very good for my characteristics.”
He feels no pressure despite these many positive signs. “I am not concerned that people name me as a favorite, it has happened before and that doesn’t make you win or lose.”
Having won three times already and racing on a course that could suit him well gives him some privileges within the Spanish squad. “I will be the sole leader in the race, with the entire team working for me.” It is the right decision, according to him. “I think it is better to play one card … because otherwise we may end up with nothing, as has happened in the past. That doesn’t mean that if the circumstances aren’t as expected that we can play a different card, like it happened in Hamilton [2003] with Astarloa,” Freire said.
Freire had a good look at the course already. “Because it is less hard than in other years, riders will be more eager to attack in the first few laps and that could mean that the race will be more difficult to control.” The sprinter sees a more positive side on that. “The selection will be minor and in the final there will be more riders, although probably more tired.” This could suit the triple Milano-Sanremo champion well.
For a long race, resting as much as possible is key to winning in the end. “My objective is to get to the final with the maximum on options, well protected by the team, because then it will be the [remaining] power of each and every rider who decide the race.”
Freire is particularly happy with the rising finishing straight, something the powerful Rabobank rider can excel on. “Even though many riders will be there in the end, not everyone will be able to sprint for the win. The advantage I have is that in an uphill like this, there are more options to react than in a flat finish when you are closed in or when you follow a bad wheel,” he said.
Less sprint-strong people may try to force a different outcome. “It is not only the finish, but also the last three or four kilometers where you can’t let yourself get surprised.”
When asked about the favorites, Cavendish’s name was missing. “I always said that they [main rivals -ed] are Peter Sagan, Thor Hushovd and Philippe Gilbert.”
He thinks that the latter can do a lot of damage and make others lose the race, even if Gilbert doesn’t win in the end. Freire cautioned that there are other scenarios that not many have thought about. “There are other teams that can play cards that nobody thinks of,such as Italy with [Sacha] Modolo.”
Freire also indicated that he will return next year for racing, quashing earlier rumors that he may retire at the end of 2011. He has been previously linked to the Spanish Movistar team.
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