Moreno optimistic after season debut

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Last Sunday, Daniel Moreno started his 2008 racing programme with his new team Caisse d'Epargne. The 26 year-old climber began a new chapter of his career after three and a half years with Relax, during which he proved to be a remarkable climber. On top of this, Moreno has a good peak of speed, which he showed by taking the victory in the last Subida a Montjuich, in Barcelona.

Moreno also left behind three long months of doubt about his professional future after the disappearance of his former team Relax-Gam. "I want to thank team manager Eusebio Unzué for the opportunity given to me by Caisse d'Epargne, giving me a new contract with the season already underway. I want to do my work as well as possible, hopefully scoring some victories. I hardly know anything about my new team, but in the Gran Premio de Llodio (last weekend) I saw the seriousness with which things are done within the team."

The Spaniard had continued keeping fit while looking for a new employer, and his return to racing was "better than expected. My feelings in Llodio were good, taking into account that it was my first race this year."

Although Moreno's race programme was not yet set in stone, the rider knows what is expected of him. "I still do not know my calendar for this season, except the next races such as the Gran Premio de Estella-Miguel Induráin, Gran Premio de Amorebieta and Paris-Camembert. But it is obvious that I start out at Caisse d'Epargne to work for my colleagues, and if I have any chance to go for a win, I will take it."

Moreno seemed convinced that he would "not race the Tour de France this year, because for this race everything is already planned for Caisse d'Epargne, but I would like to race the Vuelta, which would be my main goal. Last year I had a great performance there. A part from that, I would also like to participate in the Volta a Catalunya."