"He's like an airplane"

Gorka Gerrikagoitia had only praise for Samuel Sánchez after his canny late-race move secured the team its first win of the season in the Volta a Catalunya yesterday. The DS likened his team leader to a machine.

"Everyone on the team knows he's like a motorcycle", the man known as 'Gerri' told el Correo. "He's like a plane. Before the race he was nervous, but that's always a good sign. That means he'll give it a go."

Like Samu himself, Gerrikagoitia would be pleased with second place overall as there seems to be no beating Michael Albasini.

"Samu's strong, so if he finishes second in this race that would be great. Albasini has been strong and impossible to wrestle the lead from. We'll hunt the win again the Vuelta al País Vasco, but we know it'll be hard", he told BiciCiclismo.

Speaking of the start to the season, the former rider was pleased to get a win onboard - but says this year has been no different to previous ones.

"We're a modest team, and it's always hard for us to win early on. 2012 has been no different in that regard. Both the team and Samu were strong yesterday. Samu winning sends a signal to the rest of the peloton that we're doing well".