Joachim Rodriguez believes the Vuelta a Espana’s route this year gives him a good chance of winning the race, he has said.
Rodriguez, leader of the Russian Katusha team, finished 19th on the Vuelta last year and nearly won this year's Giro d’Italia before Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal beat him on the final time trial.
Shorter stages likely to feature bunch sprint finishes are in his favor, the Spanish rider said
“The route of the race fits me very well. The stages are not very long and a lot will be decided at the finish. I think that Katusha may make a good race and achieve a good result."
The 19 stages include two time trials, typically a weak point for Rodriguez.
The 33-year-old said that he felt well but was not 100 percent ready.
“The Vuelta is a long and difficult race where maximal readiness may be required starting from the second week, that’s why I’ll have to save strength till the deciding stages,” he said.
The race starts Saturday with a time-trial in Pamplona and finished September 7 in La Lastrilla.
