A Spanish hopes for Milano-Sanremo glory have been revived with an undeniable rise of their most promising fast finisher, Joan Jose Lobato. The Andalusian-born sprinter won't line up at la Primavera as the top favourite next Sunday with Alexander Kristoff and Peter Sagan due to carry that pressure, but his recent performances suggest that the Movistar rider has every chance to improve on the fourth spot claimed in the season's opening monument last year.

Lobato's three stage victories claimed this season can't top achievements of the likes of Mark Cavendish or Alexander Kristoff. They were emphatic enough, however, to give the young Spaniard enough time for celebrating them in his increasingly recognizable style and with an addition of the runner-up spot claimed in the Clasica de Almeria they mark his undeniable progress.

„It gives you a peace of mind to calmly prepare for the next objectives,” Lobato said of his recent stage successes.

Lobato follows a similar race schedule to last year's, preferring to train under a cloudless Andalusian sky instead of facing adverse weather conditions in Paris or Tirreno-Adriatico – as some of his greatest rivals to the Milano-Sanremo glory did. The 26-year old Spaniard admitted that his preparations have proceeded without any interruptions and reveals that his current form is better than in the same time of the year last season.

„I have very good feelings,” Lobato shared impressions from his final preparations towards Milano-Sanremo in an interview for Biciciclismo. „But it's an unpredictable race.”

Held on his home soil, Vuelta a Andalucia was Lobato's last appearance before la Primavera with a short break to compete at the GP Nobili. Pleased with two victories taken in stages to Lucena and Alhaurin de la Torre, the 26-year old Spaniart could calmly continue his preparations towards one of his biggest objectives of the season.

„I have prepared at home. The weather has been glorious – I have had days with a temperature reaching 30 degrees so it has been phenomenal to train in such conditions. Last Saturday I have undergone a stress test and the truth is it went pretty well. Perhaps a little bit better than last year as I lost some weight. Two and a half kilos, in fact.”

Asked whether he has followed stage races held last week, the Movistar rider confessed that he managed to find enough time to watch his closest rivals, but definitely didn't envy them conditions they were forced to race in.

„Yes, I had enough time to watch some stages. I didn't envy them at all. I could stay out of trouble and focus on my goals instead.”

The Spanish fast finisher not only trained on his local roads, but spent some time on previewing this year's Milano-Sanremo route. Lobato confessed that small changes implemented by race organizers play in his own favour, but asked about biggest title contenders pointed to Kristoff and Sagan without any hesitation.

„Everything is more favorable. I like that route and I'd like to win the race, I won't even try to hide it.”

„I dream about it all the time,” he added.

„The favorites are always the same. Sagan always finishes second? So what? At Milano-Sanremo he will ne a top favorite anyway, just as last year's winner Kristoff. Kwiatkowski is so strong that he can do whatever he pleases too.”

A victory in the Milano-Sanremo is an untimate goal for Lobato. Asked what he would consider a success in the tricky 300-kilometers long affair at this point of his career, however, he pointed out to improving on his previous results. And openly admitted that if he had such choice, he would go for a podium result in this year's edition of la Primavera without contesting the race.

„Man! Today, of course. At this point I would sign for a podium of any monument.”

„[I would be satisfied] knowing that I have improved, because this race is extremely unpredictable. It is easy, and yet very difficult. You cannot predict how well you're going to do in a sprint with 300 kilometers of racing in your legs.”

While Lobato's talent and progress over last seasons are unquestionable, there is a huge threat that Movistar focused on their stage racing stars Quintana and Velverde won't provide him with enough support to develop his full potential. The 26-year old Spaniard is perfectly aware of his difficult situation, but believes that a slight change in a philisophy of the telephone squad is possible.

„I believe that's not me who should answer that question. I limit myself to do what I'm paid for, and it's basically contesting the sprints and winning as many races as possible. With Nairo and Valverde on board it's extremely difficult to change team's philisophy. There are races for everyone, but still...

I mean, a change as in Etixx-Quick Step [might be possible]. They managed to maintain their essence and focus and classics but opened doors for such riders as Uran and Kwiatkowski.

I think it's possible, and I hope so. I'm happy in that team and I believe they're pleased with me too.”

Lobato will line-up at the Milano-Sanremo on Sunday. Gent-Wavelgem, Driedaagse De Panne and Giro d'Italia are next races on his schedule.