 | HERAS FACTFILE DOB: 1/2/1974 Nationality: Spanish Best Tour: 2002 - ninth |
Roberto Heras was many people's pick to derail the Lance Armstrong express in 2004, but the Texan's former team-mate fell woefully short. The Spaniard, who later in the season went on to win the Tour of Spain, looked devoid of race fitness at the head of the Liberty-Seguros team.
And he eventually retired on the 17th stage when almost an hour behind the pace of Armstrong.
The pressure will now be on the big-earning Spaniard to deliver.
In previous Tours de France, Heras had been the mountain lynchpin of Armstrong's Tour de France successes, helping coax the American up the toughest climbs.
But in a bid to see what he could do on his own, he switched to Liberty on a contract worth a reported �850,000 a year after his new employers had paid US Postal �1.1m to release him from his contract in 2003.
He has all the experience required behind him in the guise of former Once boss Manolo Saiz.
There is also impressive riding back-up courtesy of Joseba Beloki, Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano and Isidro Nozal.
Heras' biggest win to date is the Vuelta (Tour of Spain), in which he has triumphed three times, including last year.
Many see him as a major threat to Armstrong, particularly in the mountains, but he still lacks the time trialling ability to match the likes of Armstrong and Jan Ullrich.
It remains to be seen how long Heras will keep up with Armstrong et al but expect crowds to be left in awe by his climbing ability - he could yet be crowned king of the mountains - and will surely bring a stage victory on one of the tougher stages this time around.
MMIX
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