Rodriguez not optimistic of keeping red jersey to Madrid

Although Spanish cyclist Joaquin Rodriguez is in the lead of the Vuelta de Espana cycle race with just five stages left, the rider with the Katusha team does not believe he is favorite to win in Madrid this coming Sunday.

Rodriguez leads the three week long race by just one second over Fabio Aru, but as the riders enjoy a rest day on Tuesday, Rodriguez is looking over his shoulder at fourth placed Tom Dumoulin.

Although Dumoulin is almost 2 minutes behind Rodriguez and Aru in the standings, the Dutch rider is a far stronger time trial rider than either Rodriguez or Aru and given that Wednesday sees a 39.8 km time trial around Burgos, he is the Spaniard's tip to wear the leader's red jersey into Madrid.

"Nobody's going to take the jersey from me on the rest day," he said, before adding that Dumoulin, "is riding very well and he has managed to keep his rhythm on the big climbs. At the moment, Dumoulin is the main favorite to win the overall race."

There are some mountain stages left in the race, but no mountain top finishes, which is where Rodriguez has managed to gain time so far in this race.

"I hope my legs respond, but by then the classification will have been consolidated and everyone will be looking to defend what they already have. I hope I can come out of the time trial as leader, but I think he (Dumoulin) will do so," insisted the Spaniard, who was not optimistic about his chances.

"Dumoulin will have to have a bad day in Burgos and I will have to have an incredibly good one. But I hope to have a super time trial and I will give everything I have," assured Rodriguez. Endit