Casero shadows Sevilla

Sevilla (c) and Casero (r) feel the pain in Spain

Tour of Spain favourite Angel Casero said on Monday's rest day that he has to attack in the final week of the race.

The race ends on Sunday in Madrid with a 38-kilometre time-trial, which should suit second-placed Casero more than the current leader, the climber Oscar Sevilla.

Fellow Spaniard Sevilla lead's over Casero is just 25 seconds.

"You can have a puncture or an accident at the last moment, so I will have to make my move first. At this point every second counts," said Casero.

Last year's runner-up in the Vuelta added that the Alto de Abantos stage the day before the time-trial in Madrid could be one opportunity for an attack.

I am destroying his (Sevilla's) morale with these attacks

Angel Casero

If Casero does win it would give Festina their first major Tour win.

Casero's morale was boosted in Sunday's 15th stage from Valencia to Alto de Aitana.

Normally regarded as a time-triallist he finished the stage sixth 16 seconds ahead of Sevilla.

"What I have achieved in the mountains is very important for my future career," said the 29-year-old Casero.

"I am destroying his (Sevilla's) morale with these attacks.

"I have never been capable of attacking in the mountains in my whole career and now I have done so on two stages of this Vuelta.

"It's a real pity that I lost 22 seconds when I was held up by a crash in the first week, because if not I would be just three seconds behind him."

Cracked

Casero added he remain unconcerned that he still did not have a team for next year.

"I am thinking about one thing right now and that is winning the Vuelta," he said.

"If this hadn't been my main objective for a considerable period of time I would have signed with any old squad in August."

Sevilla leads Casero by just 25 seconds

Sevilla, who won best young rider award in this year's Tour de France by finishing seventh overall on his debut, remained upbeat about his own chances.

"I have not cracked completely, although the rest day will be very welcome."

The stage on Tuesday runs from Alcoi to Murcia, a distance of 153.3km

Sacked

Meanwhile in Italy the Mapei team sacked former world number one Michele Bartoli.

"Michele Bartoli can race for who he wants to, that includes Fassa Bortolo," said Mapei boss Giorgi Squinzi, referring to the rumour that Bartoli is planning to join the Fassa Bortolo team.

Mapei also announced that they had signed France's Olympic mountain bike world champion Miguel Martinez on a three-year contract.