Samu predicts tough Tour

While Samu is no doubt aiming for a podium spot in the Tour this July just like he did last year, the Olympic champ is anticipating a harder fight for the top three places this time around. "It'll be more complicated this year than it was last year", he confided to DEIA. "We all want a repeat of 2010 when we fought for stages wins and the podium, but we know it'll be hard." The Asturian highlighted the team time trial on stage two as an obvious obstacle, saying "we probably won't go as fast as Leopard, Garmin, Saxo Bank or Rabobank", but went on to add diplomatically that "it's the same for everyone". He rates compatriot Contador as the number one favourite - naturally - but it nonetheless expecting "the most exciting Tour in years".