Differently than in case of the current Vuelta a Espana leader, Andrew Talansky proved to mean his words when ha was claiming not to contest the general classification of this year’s edition of the Spanish three-week event. Leaving his heartbreaking exit from the Tour de France behind, the Garmin-Sharp rider remains focused on building an engine for the upcoming World Championships ITT and 2015 season while riding in a support of Daniel Martin.

While pressure-free ride in the Vuelta was exactly what the 25-year old American needed after all his hopes had been crushed when he abandoned the Tour de France with back injury, Talansky admitted that he misses being at the pointy end of the peloton.

“I absolutely prefer showing up race-fit, and riding GC, and being up at the front of the race. That’s what I love and enjoy doing,” Talansky told VeloNews. “I knew that I couldn’t do that, so I had to be realistic, and come with different goals.”

From the beginning of the Spanish Grand Tour, the Criterium du Dauphine winner was openly committed to supporting Garmin-Sharp leaders Martin and Ryder Hesjedal, but main reason of his appearance in mountainous event was different. Having his sights already turned to 2015 season, Talansky aimed to start slowly building his disposition with more remote objectives in mind as well as to prove himself that he is still able to finish the three-week long race.

“I wasn’t bluffing when I said my only purpose was to ride a grand tour, to get that training in my body, building toward next season,” he said. “When you’re fit, and flying on the bike, you enjoy racing, you enjoy the suffering. [This Vuelta] is a different experience, I look at it as an extended training camp for myself.”

“We’re here for Dan, and I’m here to get a grand tour in my legs,” Talansky said. “Dan [Martin] limited the losses in the time trial to keep him up there in GC. We’re 11th, and we haven’t hit the real hard mountains yet. This race hasn’t even started yet. We’ve seen little climbs. We haven’t seen any full-on climbing stages, and that’s where Dan will excel.

However, Talansky still hopes to finish the current year on a positive note as he aims to participate in both World Championships road race and individual time trial, before finishing the season in the autumn’s greatest one-day event, Il Lombardia.

“Yes, I will be doing worlds, and finish my season at Lombardia. I will race worlds with that in mind,” Talansky confirmed. “I would like to ride the time trial. Given the way I am riding this Vuelta, it builds your engine throughout the race, and a week and a half later, you will have that deep strength that no amount of training can replicate. It will be perfect for a 57km time trial.”