By Antonio J. Salmerón
The promising young Euskaltel-Euskadi rider, Igor Antón, winner of stage 16 of this year's Vuelta, had a phenomental race this year, but thinks that topping his performance in next year's Vuelta will be a challenge. Antón told Europe Press, "I will demand a little bit more of myself for the 2007 Vuelta [but] it will be a difficult task to repeat victory.”
Antón, who won the stage in spite of being in his first season as a professional rider, likes the 2007 Vuelta route, because the Lagos de Covadonga will be included in the fourth stage. “It seems phenomenal to me, because the fans wish to see a spectacle from the beginning". The Basque rider said in addition, "the route will be very selective, and we will arrive at the last week without a clear winner."
Antón said that, although Mayo has left Euskaltel-Euskadi, "it will not give me greater freedom" because there are riders still on the team such as Samuel Sanchez, Haimar Zubeldia or Mikel Astarloza, who will take Mayo's place as protected rider.
