By Hernan Alvarez Macias
Spain’s team selector Francisco 'Paco' Antequera managed his last race in that capacity today at the World’s in Madrid. Alejandro Valverde’s silver medal gave Antequera an amazing number of eleven medals as a coach in nine World Championships since his first in San Sebastian 1997.
Spain won five gold medals (Olano in 1998, Freire in 1999, Freire in 2001, Astarloa in 2003 and Freire in 2004), four silver medals and two bronze medals under his management, which is something very few coaches can say of themselves. On the Spanish Cycling Federation web site, Antequera said today, "This medal tasted like glory. I’m very happy to win at home because the silver medal is as much a success as would be a golden one. I don’t have words to give my thanks to the whole team, from riders to technicians. This is my last World’s and my goodbye is definite. There’s no way back."
