One eye on worlds

Luca Paolini bolted out of a break-away to win stage 12, and was clearly focused on what the victory means for his hopes in Salzburg.

"I showed today that I am in optimal condition to dispute the world championship," Paolini said after winning Thursday's trip from Aranda de Duero to Guadalajara.

"Today all the escapees were there specifically for the stage win and I beat them all - it was like a classic."

The Italian Liquigas rider held off a late charge from Bart Dockx (Davitamon Lotto) and compatriot Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) after breaking clear from a group of 12 escapees in the final four kilometres.

But Paolini told the Cyclingnews that stage wins in the Tour of Spain were not his current priority.

"There are other stages which suit me in this Vuelta but I want to be careful not to force my legs too much, and therefore arrive at the world championships tired," he said.

Bettini, who pipped Paolini and points jersey leader Thor Hushovd to win a stage two sprint, made his own world championship challenge to absent rainbow jersey and Quick Step team-mate Tom Boonen.

"The parcours in Salzburg is too demanding for Tom," the Olympic champion told Het Laatste Nieuws. "Even if he has won the Tour of Flanders twice, first we have to see how his form is. I fear foremost the Kazakhs, Alexandre Vinokourov and Andrej Kashechkin."

Both Kazakh Astana riders have performed beautifully to remain within striking distance of Alejandro Valverde's golden jersey in the general classification's top-five.

Vino won two stages and his fifth overall, while Kashechkin has made a bid to be the team leader in second place overall just 27 seconds behind Valverde.

Boonen, who put his own title defence in doubt after struggling at the Tour de France and failing to win a stage, said that Bettini was wrong about the Salzburg parcours.

"I don't agree with him," Boonen said. "Of course I'd like to defend my world champion title. Time flies when wearing the rainbow jersey..."

Friday's 13th stage in Spain is similar to the 12th, with a trio of category three climbs ideal for an ambitious group break-away.

The final climb is the cobbled Alto del Castillo with a summit just 13 kilometres from the finish line and a hazardous descent into the streets of the old town at Cuenca.

The city also hosts Saturday's critical 33-km time trial, as several riders will try to topple Valverde.