Spanish Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador, has opted to skip this year’s World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland.
According to Cyclingnews, Contador talked with Spanish National coach José Luis Santos and said, “it is best to leave my place [on the team] to another rider.”
De Santos has made his pre-selection known with star riders Alejandro Valverde and three-time world champion Oscar Friere likely captains for the team.
Caisse d’Epargne’s Jose Ivan Gutierrez and Liberty-Seguros’ Hector Guerra will represent Spain in the World Time Trial Championships. Both riders are however are not listed take part in the road event.
Spain’s World Championships Pre-selection:
Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
Juan Manuel Garate (Rabobank)
Juan Antonio Flecha (Rabobank)
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne)
Joaquim Rodriguez (Caisse d’Epargne)
Dani Moreno (Caisse d’Epargne)
Alberto Losada (Caisse d’Epargne)
Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel)
Igor Anton (Euskaltel)
Carlos Baredo (Quick Step)
David de la Fuente (Fuji-Servetto)
José Angel Gómez Marchante (Cervélo)
Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo-Galicia)
David Garcia (Xacobeo-Galicia)
Xavier Tondo (Andalucia-CajaSur)
Rubén Plaza (Liberty-Seguros)