Norwegian champion has Melbourne form right where he wants it
Thor Hushovd (Cervélo TestTeam) has withdrawn from the Vuelta a España and will not start Wednesday’s time trial according to Norwegian TV station TV2. The Norwegian champion has returned to his home in Monaco to finish his preparations for next month’s World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.
“I feel in such good shape that I don’t want to take any chances of breaking down what I have built up, Hushovd told TV2 at the finish of yesterday’s stage to the Alto de Cotobello. “So I think it’s wise to give up now.”
Unsurprisingly, Hushovd finished in a group with other sprinters and non-climbers more than half an hour behind stage winner Mikel Nieve (Euskaltel-Euskadi). The 32-year-old has achieved his objective in the race though, having taken a victory on stage 6 in Murcia, and clearly feels that he has ridden himself into the desired form for Melbourne.
Of the five stages remaining in the Vuelta three will likely finish in bunch sprints, which would suit the Norwegian. Tomorrow’s 46km time trial and Saturday’s mountaintop finish at the Bola del Mundo though, would likely require more energy than he is prepared to spend on the way to the World Championships.
The course in Melbourne features a number of short hills in the circuit around Geelong and has been described as suiting a sprinter who can get over the climbs. Spain’s three-time World champion Oscar Freire has been touted as a big favourite for the race, but Hushovd might find that it suits him too.