Today, Alberto Contador returns to racing. Alberto arrived Friday at Lyon to participate in the Critérium du Dauphiné, and went on a recon on the route of the initial time trial. In a press conference held Saturday afternoon, the leader of Tinkoff-Saxo offered his point of view on his return to competition after his last race, the Tour of the Basque Country, a couple of months ago.
What have you done since your last race, how has your preparation been?
-After Basque Country I had a rest period because the season had been very intense and I really needed it. From there, I have been gradually increasing the training load to build up my shape for Dauphiné and ultimately The Tour.
What is your goal in Dauphiné?
-It’s a key race for me, also in regard to Tour de France. Like other years, I have said it’s a race of preparations. I have worked very hard and come here with a good condition, but without having ridden at high intensity since the Tour will be decided in the last week and I’ll also go to Vuelta a España this year. I’ll be in good shape but without the obsession to win.
This winter you said that Froome would be the man to beat in the Tour. Seen in the light of the past months, do you still think that or have something changed?
– I still believe that. Froome has been very strong in the Tour the last two years and he’s the number one favorite. I’ll be very motivated at the start line, and then we’ll see what happens.
What will be a good result for you in Dauphiné?
– To see and analyze my performance, have a good physical recovery, and especially in the 10 days following the end of the race. I can use the feedback I get from Dauphiné to alter and add the final details to my shape.
Does it mean if Froome won the Dauphiné clearly that will not affect your confidence?
– Confidence is a subjective factor and each one look at it from their point of view. Everyone has to draw his own conclusions. Obviously, if you want to have options in the Tour, you have to have a good level in Dauphiné, but another thing is to win or not. I would have even more questions if I win; because I’ve never done that and then I will start thinking about if anything would be different in the Tour.
This year Nibali has had no important results, does that mean something or do you think he will be at his level in the Tour?
– With a rider like Nibali you have to expect that he will be at his best during the goal of his season. He has a good training and race plan leading up to the Tour and today he has to be considered as one of the favorites despite this season’s missed victories.
Have you had the best start of the season of your entire career this year?
– At first I didn’t think of it that way. But then I began to read it in some places and the truth is that it has been the best start of a season so from the point of view of efficiency, because I’ve been first or second in every race where I have started and I’ve taken advantage of many of the opportunities I had, winning or finishing in the top 3 on many stages.
How can you explain this?
-It was a completely different winter from the last 2 or 3 years. My day has revolved around the bike completely, to optimize training and rest, being aware that it was a very challenging year. When I experience that the results do not come, it’s a tough challenge but an extra motivation as well. I’m back to the traditional calendar, giving up some early races this year that didn’t allow me to train with calm.
Was it a surprise to hear that Sky will not have Wiggins in the Tour?
– Neither yes nor no. Each team will have a race plan and find the best group of riders at all levels. Wiggins has shown great form, but that will also give Sky a chance in Vuelta a España.
What will be the best stage to test yourself in during Dauphiné?
– Stage 7, because the climbs are like in the Tour de France, with 8% gradients and long climbs. This is where it gets really challenging in the Tour and it’s on these percentages where I’ll see my physical form during Dauphiné.
Is there a key day in this year’s Tour and how important will the cobbled stage become?
– I think this Tour will be super open and entertaining to watch, because most days have something. The stages in England will be tough and edgy, then comes the cobbles, the Vosges with two demanding stages, and finally we will fight in the Alps and the Pyrenees with several stages, plus the time trial. The cobbled stage will be very important, but not decisive, unless you have a fall and sustain an injury.
