This year Rein Taaramae has returned to form after a couple of horrible seasons where he health issues have made impossible for him to perform to the maximum of his abilities. Having finally resolved his problems, the in-form Estonian regards himself as an outsider for Sunday’s road race.

A few years ago Rein Taaramae was regarded as one of the greatest stage race talents. At just 22 years of age he finished 3rd in the 2009 Tour de Romandie, one year later he was third in the Volta a Catalunya and in 2011 he finished fourth in Paris-Nice.

Since then, nothing has gone to plan for the talented Estonian. For some reason, he was suddenly unable to perform at his previous level. For a long time, he believed he was suffering from asthma but the usual medication had no effect on his health.

This year the cause for his struggles was finally found. Too much skin in his throat made it impossible for him to breathe properly. He underwent surgery in March and marked his return to form by winning the queen stage of the Tour of Turkey before finishing the race in second overall.

He still lacked the racing speed to be a contender in the Tour de France but he bounced back strongly a few weeks ago when he won the Tour du Doubs. Now in Ponferrada, he regards himself as an outsider for the road race.

“I think I am good,” he told CyclingQuotes after the time trial. “I have recovered. I really feel that I am finally back at my level.”

Taaramae kicked off his Worlds campaign in the time trial. Unfortunately, he didn’t find his best legs and finished the race far back in 36th.

“I didn’t expect a really good race,” he said. “It’s the final part of the season and it’s hard. Some days you have good shape, other days you feel average. I just hoped that I had good sensations and that I could finish in the top 15 but I think that I am far away. I just didn’t have good legs today.”

Nonetheless, he is still confident for the road race which is his main objective.

“The road race is another story,” he said. “It’s the World Championships. Everyone is under pressure. I think the race is for sprinters who can pass the climbs, for the classics riders and of course for riders like Valverde.

“I am in a good situation because I am an outsider. I can surprise everybody. I didn’t do a very good race today but I still have good legs.”

CyclingQuotes also talked about his future role at Astana which he will join in 2015. You can read more about that in a future article.