Top names to contest Spanish championships

Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse D'Epargne) was best young rider at the Tour Down Under

Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Caisse D'Epargne) was best young rider at the Tour Down Under (Image credit: Shane Goss)

The contest for the Spanish national road race championship is heating up, with most of the peloton's top names ready to fight for the red and gold jersey on the 210 kilometre course in Talavera on Sunday. The forecasted hot weather will be an additional challenge for the likes of Alejandro Valverde, who will start on Sunday as a favourite alongside his team-mate Joaquím Rodríguez, the defending champion.