Medellin (Colombia) (AFP)
Colombian Rigoberto Uran, dolphin of Chris Froome on the Tour de France 2017, focuses, in this season disrupted by the coronavirus, on the Great Loop, postponed by two months (August 29-September 20), and the World Championships supposed to be disputing in stride in Switzerland, he told AFP on Monday.
"It's a bit uncertain because of everything that's going on, but let's say that the most important is the first part (of the season, note), which would be the Tour and the Worlds," said the rider of the formation EF during an interview with AFP and another media.
"It's a very short calendar, three months of complete racing, the team must analyze and choose the best riders, but I will participate again in the Tour de France this year (...) then in the World Championship", insured the 33-year-old runner, twice second in the Giro (2013 and 2014), without going ahead with the rest of his program.
"With a little fear" because the new coronavirus "is still not under control", the Colombian, victim of a serious fall on the Vuelta 2019 last August, judges the delay by the Tour de France "perfect " for preparing.
"If we can train on the road, we will have all the necessary time (...), insists the 2012 Olympic vice-champion. There are four months to go before the Tour, which is a perfect time to arrive in good condition. "
Uran, forced to retire during the 6th stage of the Tour of Spain 2019 after multiple fractures (collarbone, scapula, ribs) and a punctured lung, was able to participate like many runners in virtual races on home trainer during the duration of confinement in Colombia where individual sports activities have been authorized for a week.
"It's not the same as on the road, because on the road you can do a lot of endurance, six or seven hours. On a simulator, it is very difficult to do more than three or four hours. So let's say you suddenly lose a little cash, "the Colombian judge, very comfortable in the exercise of the time trial.
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