Jonathan Castroviejo (Movistar) enjoys his vacation with his family but will make a return on Sunday to contest the time trial of the Grand Prix des Nations after a season that ended with a great performance at the World Championships. He took bronze with Movistar in the team time trial and was fourth, 3 seconds off the bronze medal, in the individual time trial.

Castroviejo has again become a basic part of the Movistar Team. He is the current Spanish time trial champion and escorted Quintana and Valverde in the Tour de France. He's not only a remarkable time triallist but has become a good climber too, a safe bet for his team and his leaders. The Spanish rider is hoping to progress and achieve results in 2016, especially with a focus on the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“I am quite happy with the season,” he told Esciclismo. “I think I've been at a very high level in the mountains and especially in the time trial. The crash in Quebec destroyed things a bit and even threatened to ruin the two time trials at the Worlds. Luckily, the rest came in handy and the knee problem was less severe than I feared.”

Castroviejo has no regrets about missing out on a Worlds medal with such a tiny margin.

“I am sure that I could have found those two and a half second in a curve, but I'm happy because I think I did a very good time trial. It gives you a little frustration but mostly it gives me confidence for the future. The truth is that it is not all about me. In the race I did well. I maybe took a little moment to recover midway through the race and finished very well. I'll take that medal next year. I think I am getting a little better and by getting there without any setbacks and taking care of certain details, I think I can be there in the fight.

“In the team time trial it was a very realistic goal to try to get a medal and why not try to win. The bronze was a prize. Remember that the route of the time trial did not suit us. We are better at slower time trials. In the coming years, with the addition of Nelson (Oliveira) and fine-tuning some details, I think we can fight for gold.”

Castroviejo’s fourth place in the time trial secured Spain a spot at the Olympics.

“The spot is for the Spanish team. I would really like to go. In London, I think I did well in the two races. I was ninth in the time trial. And now I've developed a little more. My personal goal for next year is to try to medal at the Games. I would be thrilled."

However, Castroviejo is more than a time triallist.

“Now I think I've found a balance: to be very strong in the time trials and on the flats and I can be there in the mountains. In the early years with Euskaltel, I lost something in the mountains. And I think I can still improve because, fortunately, I still have much left in my career. I still have to reach my maximum. My average is good. This year I even wanted to contest the two Canadian classics, Quebec and Montreal, and in the time trial I've been there. I'm happy with my progress.

“Of course I like to go for GC in Paris-Nice or Tirreno. But this year Nairo was in Tirreno so it was unthinkable and he won the race. And to make the top ten is not a goal for the team which want to win. It is clear that when the leaders, Alejandro or Nairo, are there, the goal is to be with them, help them and make sure that they do not miss anything. That has my complete focus and I am not obsessed. I like doing that job.

“It is clear that the number one goal in 2016 is to win the Tour with Nairo, after being second twice. The two times we have seen that he has been the strongest rider in the last week, but what counts are the 21 days. I think we can still improve.”