This year's Vuelta begins on Saturday with a 30km team time trial around his home city of Valencia.

"I feel great both physically and mentally," Casero told Spanish newspaper El Mundo on Friday.

"I am fresh because this year I have competed only in the Tour of Portugal and a race in Germany.

"I really think I can win the Vuelta and that is certainly what I will be fighting for."

The Team Coast rider, who will turn 30 during the race, missed the early part of the season because of a knee injury.

But he insists that he is ready for the demands of the three-week tour.

Main threat

"I will cross the start line in Valencia two kilos lighter than last year," he said.

"I need to be lighter because this year the mountain stages start earlier in the race."

Casero recognises that the main threat in this year's race will come from the crop of specialist climbers anxious to test him once the race hits the hills.

He sees the leading challengers as being Gilberto Simoni, Roberto Heras, Joseba Beloki and Oscar Sevilla.

But Casero, who finished runner-up to Heras in the 2000 Vuelta after he lost time on the brutal Alto de L'Angliru climb, is confident he can see off their threat.

The Asturian ascent, which has been dubbed the toughest climb in cycling, is back on the Vuelta itinerary this year.

But Casero believes he has learnt his lesson after his experience two years ago.