Alberto Contador (Pinto, 1982) wraps up training in the Sierra de Madrid ready to face a major challenge: On Saturday in Granada he’ll begin his battle to become the first Spanish cyclist in history to win all three grand tours.
Contador, the winner of the 2007 Tour and the 2008 Giro d’Italia, told EFE in an interview that he’s starting the Vuelta with both body and mind in form. He’s ready to fight for a race that gives him special motivation, where he'll share top billing with reigning Tour winner, Carlos Sastre, whom he considers the prime candidate for the title.
Having missed a medal in Beijing by a mere eight seconds, inthe Vuelta he'll seek gold again. This time Contador hopes to join legends like Anquetil, Merckx, and Gimondi, the three cyclists with the palmarés among stage racers
In your last race, the Clásica a los Puertos, you looked tough and aggressive, and it’s no secret that your hopes are set on the Vuelta. How will you begin this edition?
I dream about the Vuelta. I really want to do something great and will try to do well in the GC, but it’ll be difficult to win because the level is very high. I feel good, but we’ll see what level I show at the Vuelta.
I’m starting confidently: the last test was good and every day I get better. I think I’ll get there in a very good moment of form. You never know, of course, but my physical and psychological states are very good.
In addition, you’re bringing the best possible team, including names like Leipheimer and Klöden, men with results and experience. The former won the bronze in Beijing.
Having the support of Leipheimer and Klöden gets rid of a lot of the responsibility and pressure on me, so I can be more relaxed from the beginnng. It’s an honor to have these riders on the team, but I also have complete confidence in the entire group.
After getting fourth at the Olympics, the Vuelta is only worth gold.
A silver medal wouldn’t be bad either, but I am thinking about the overall. It’ll be difficult to win; nobody thinks it will be easy, but I will try.
In principle, you won’t have a lot of chances to ride the Vuelta and win. You’re a Tour man, and your future goals will be directed toward the Tour de France.
Yeah, who knows. This year I’m doing the Giro and the Vuelta and at the moment I’m happy with how it’s working out. I guarantee that my target in the future will be the Tour de France, but I’ll never count out the Vuelta. I’ll always have it in the back of my mind.
You’ll have rivals among your compañeros: Sastre, Valverde.
I think the likeliest candidates to win are Sastre, Valverde, and even Leipheimer, but many names will crop up. Carlos Sastre is the number one favorite because he proved his level in the Tour de France.
Obviously, having not participated in the Tour, you’ll arrive fresher than they will.
Everybody knows how hard they’ve worked. I was really worn out after the Giro, then I recovered, but the truth is that the people who rode the Tour will be more fatigued than I am.
Do you aspire to become the first Spaniard to win all three grand tours?
Absolutely, that’s something that motivates me. It would be a dream come true to make history for that reason. I’ve always said I’d like to win the Vuelta, if not this year, another year. But certainly, I’m shooting for it now.
There’s nothing wrong with the route, with five mountaintop finishes and not much racing against the clock. Plus there’s the incentive of the Anglíru, the most feared peak in the Vuelta.
If I feel good, the finish on top of the Anglíru will suit me really well, but the question is whether or not I’ll feel strong enough on that exact day, because it could be an important stage to gain time.
You climbed the Mortirolo in the Giro and studied the Anglíru in July. Are they anything alike?
The Anglíru could be the Spanish Mortirolo, but it’s different because the Mortirolo has a steady gradient, very hard throughout the climb, and the Anglíru has varying gradients with a level zone in the last 1,500 meters. However, it has five deadly kilometers, with an incline that seems to go on forever.
It’ll be a beautiful and spectacular stage for the spectator. It’s good that the organization has included stages like this.
What are the keys to the race?
The key will be to avoid losing too much time in the time trials and to try to go day by day and arrive fresh in Asturias , where the general classification will already have taken shape. The uphill time trial at Navacerrada could be a good time to finish it off.
Cycling is in a state of euphoria. What do you say about the role of the sport in Beijing?
Spain ’s performance was superb. It’s a pity that we couldn’t come away with another medal in the time trial. Joan Llaneras was impressive. They ought to build a monument to that man, because he deserves it. The most distinguished Spanish athlete at the Games.
Can you say something about this key moment in cycling after several years of difficulties?
It’s a great moment, to see if it’s true that the sponsors and the public show a new enthusiasm. Cycling is in a good place, and must get better.
Alberto Contador leaves for Granada Wednesday, 27 August, where he hopes to begin another outstanding chapter in his career. The youngest Spanish Tour de France winner finishes training camp in the Sierra de Madrid, honng the form that will make him the main character in the Vuelta a España story, starting Saturday.
EFE - Madrid - 25/08/2008
;)
