Oscar Freire is optimistic

By Antonio J. Salmerón

Spanish sprinter Oscar Freire, three-time world champion, appeared yesterday in Utrecht, Holland, when Rabobank was officially presented, and expressed his desire to surpass the injuries that suppressed him in 2006 and to return to conquer the rainbow jersey. At 30 years-old, Freire will back for the Challenge de Mallorca next February, once over his injury.

"I am better with regards to the injury. ... Now, I am better than before and I have begun training. I hope to be prepared for the spring classics, because I hope to spend 2007 without any problems. In this sense, I am optimistic, because I believe that all will go well for me," the Spanish Rabobank leader said.

Freire stated his main aims, that is to say, "To try to shine in the classics, to win at least one stage in the Tour [de France] and tackle the world championship. This race [worlds] still makes me dream. I do not know if the Stuttgart circuit will be good for me, but, clearly, I know I will be very motivated. Last time I had to see it on television," Freire clarified.

Freire talked about to the present situation of the cycling and the Operación Puerto . "This subject does not benefit cycling; it is evident. It is necessary to wait for the judicial outcome," he indicated. "The conflicts are always negative and there are no results from the dialog between the diverse world-wide cycling agencies," Freire concluded.