Lotto-Soudal’s Rafael Valls is hoping to bounce back from an injury plagued 2016 season at the Tour Down Under (17 – 22 January) next week, a race where he finished eighth overall last season.
After that solid start to the season, the Spanish rider had a lot of bad luck later in the year and injuries forced him to put a stop to his season in the summer. After six months without competition, Valls is aiming for another top ten place at Tour Down Under.
Rafael Valls: “I’m looking forward to starting a new season after all the problems I had last year. I got ill in the spring and in the run-up to the National Championships in June I hurt my shoulder. The Tour de Pologne in July was my first race after that injury. I crashed in Pologne and incurred a pelvis injury. One and a half months later I underwent a shoulder operation, so I could prepare for the next season without any problems. It were three painful months, recovering from the pelvic injury and the shoulder surgery. I slowly resumed trainings in the beginning of October starting with fitness, walks in the mountains and riding on the rollers.”
“After three months of training I really want to compete again. I feel completely recovered, but I’m curious to see how I will feel in a race. Mentally all is well, that’s a fact. During my rehabilitation I was very motivated to train. I want to race again. The Tour Down Under is my first goal of the season. Just like last year, I want to conquer a place on top ten of GC. Simon Gerrans is the big favourite. Richie Porte and Esteban Chaves are only two of my other opponents. The stage to Willunga Hill on Saturday will be the most important one for GC. It’s difficult to gain time on other stages. You do need to be attentive on the other days though. There could be echelons on the way to Victor Harbor for example. Anyway, I hope it will be a race without any problems.”
Next Sunday Sander Armée, Lars Bak, Sean De Bie, Thomas De Gendt, Adam Hansen and neo-pro James Shaw will line up alongside Valls at the People’s Choice Classic in Adelaide, the criterium that is traditionally organized two days before the Tour Down Under.
Once the Tour Down Under is finished, the team will stay in Australia for one more week. Lotto Soudal will take part in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Sunday 29 January.
