Russian star ready for a go at his third Vuelta title
Denis Menchov looks to be a new man following his first ever appearance on the final podium at the Tour de France. The Russian three-time Grand Tour winner is normally not a man of many words, especially ahead of a big appointment, but following his 3rd place overall at this July’s Grand Boucle, Menchov, in a press release from Vuelta organizers, says he is feeling good about his chances in Spain as the year’s final Grand Tour approaches.
“My ambitions for the Vuelta have no limits. I am ready and am in the right mindset to do my best.”
Menchov last raced the Tour of Spain three years ago, and fared rather well, taking his second victory in the Vuelta. Menchov looks to be a far better rider now than he was three editions ago though – his podium finish in July certainly confirmed the potential that he had long been threatening to unleash.
Looking back at the Tour de France that was, Menchov is satisfied with his efforts.
“My goal was to finish in the top three, and I did it. I also found out that I could aim for the next two steps on the podium. Contador is not invincible, and Schleck was lucky that everyone waited for him on the stage to Spa. I only had one bad day, and unfortunately that was on the Tourmalet. I suffered from the low temperatures that day. On the other hand, I did very well against Contador and Schleck in the penultimate day time trial. It was one of the best rides of my life. I was very strong and did a great job.”
Interestingly, Menchov confesses that he finished this year’s Tour de France in better condition than he completed last year’s victorious Giro. The Rabobank leader only took a few days off at home with his family in Russia before resuming his training with his eyes fixed firmly on his second Grand Tour of 2010.
“I came out of the Tour less tired than I was after the Giro last year. After the final stage in Paris, I visited my family in Orel. I had four days of no riding, where I just went for walks on the steppes of my home. After that, I started to train for the Vuelta. After a week in Russia, I went [back to his European] home to Pamplona. I didn’t do any criteriums, and I have not done any other races. I prefer to follow my form curve, which gave me a third place at the Tour.”
A full capacity Denis Menchov will pose a formidable threat when the Vuelta kicks off in just over a week’s time. The second Grand Tour of the season is a tough thing to predict though, and while Menchov has had great success in the past with his second three-week tour of the year, he recognizes that it’s still more or less a gamble and admits: “I just do not know how long I can stay fit.”
While nothing has been solidified for the 2009 Giro d’Italia winner for the upcoming season, the upcoming circuit of Spain could further cement his status as the second most successful current Grand Tour rider with a win in Madrid at the end of September, and make him all the more valuable to the suitors eagerly awaiting his signature. 3 Vueltas and a Giro wouldn’t be a bad tally at all.