Almost perfect day for Plaza

By Hernan Alvarez Macias in Alcala de Henares

Comunidad Valenciana’s Ruben Plaza had an incredible day. In Gualadalajara this morning, he renewed his contract with his team for another two years: 2006 and 2007. In the afternoon, he flew to Alcala de Henares in the third and last Vuelta a España time trial. "It was a heart-stopping finale and from now on, I have to taste this win in calm to enjoy it," said Plaza talking to the many journalists in the press room.

Plaza is included in the Spanish team for the World Championships and will race the time trial. "The key in the World’s will be to recover the best I can from the Vuelta. And after the recovery, I must be concentrated and focused on the competition. After a three-week tour, it won’t be easy to recover in three or four days. You have to be focused enough to fight for the maximum prize in the time trial."

The Spanish rider is not among the favourites to win in the race against the clock in Madrid. "Every time I ride a time trial, I look for the best position I can achieve," said Plaza. "Then, until the race ends, you never know. My goal in every time trial is always the same: to win. We'll see if I can make it or not."

Plaza is currently sixth on the GC of the Vuelta, as he passed Oscar Sevilla (T-Mobile) with his performance today. He also perfomed a tremendously well in the stage 9 time trial in Lloret de Mar, where he finished second behind Denis Menchov (Rabobank).