Miguel Indurain sees Contador, Valverde or Itching with serious medal options in Rio 2016

Miguel Indurain, who won five Tour de France and a gold medal in the individual time trial at the 1996 Summer Olympics, assessed the chances of Alberto Contador, Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez in the demanding layout of Rio 2016 champion sees Navarre one of the Spaniards with serious medal options.

Miguel Indurain, one of the largest in the history of Spanish sport, ended his brilliant career with a gold in the Atlanta '96 Games (USA), where he won the time trial. That, after scoring five times in succession (1991-1995) the most prestigious race in the world: the Tour de France . And other two Giro d'Italia (1992-93).

In an interview held Tuesday in Madrid in the presentation of the 'Santander Triathlon Series' circuit Spanish popular triathlon, Navarre astro said various related aspects, especially with their Olympic memories and expectations of success you can have the Spanish cycling at the Games in Rio de Janeiro next August.

What references have circuit rider Games Rio?

The only reference I have is that the circuit is very hard road. That of the 'lap' I do not know how, but I know that the road is very demanding. It's for someone who is very fit and that up pretty well.

The circuit has two parts, one that is going to an area of ​​great mountain and then returning, flatter, to the finish area. I talked to Javier Minguez (Spanish cycling coach) and a corridor; and they told me that references it is that is demanding.

Then will influence the time of year, as the Games will be after the Tour; so can be considered a complicated time.

What Spanish or Spanish go with options medal? It ​​depends on how they come, because I do not know if they will arise focus on reaching either there or get well the Tour. Or to get right the Vuelta (Spain) ... Everyone chooses what time pursues find their peak form. But if they come at a good time, we have co n options (Alejandro) Valverde, is (Joaquim) Purito (Rodriguez) is (Alberto) Contador .. have a nice people.

The point is hit to get fit and that it may go well all year. Because you have to spend the Giro ... people going to the Giro; the Tour, those going to the Tour ... we must first spend many competitions before getting there.

How do you see the season in general? There are games, but in theory, win the Tour is always more important, right? Well, the Tour itself, because it is every year; and it has much impact. But they are increasingly impact the Olympics, especially if you have options. If the circuit is hard, as now, and you have options, you prepare. Not only as the main target, but try that in what will be the season, get in the best way possible. Games are becoming more prestige in the world of cycling.

He won Olympic gold in the time trial in Atlanta, but is remembered more for the five Tours and two Giros. How do you remember, however, its success in those games?

Well, it depends on the country you go. There are countries where it does not follow both the Tour and the Giro. And yet, an Olympic medal and that sounds to them more. I competed in two Olympic Games: in Los Angeles '84 (also in US ) of 'amateur', no options; and then Atlanta. Yes there prepared the season with the aim of reaching the best possible. Obviously, I focused more on the Tour. But I wanted to be fit for the Games. And the truth is that it was a great joy to get that gold medal.