Alberto Contador managed to distance some of his main rivals on the later part of the final climb to Valdelinares, but remained cautious about drawing conclusions and said that he’s not yet in optimum shape.
“I noticed that some of my rivals were in difficulties and I wanted to use the opportunity. I still lack condition to keep the pace at maximum intensity, but I’m very happy. I don’t know exactly how much time I took on some of my opponents, but the important thing now is not to catch a cold and to get some rest”, says Alberto Contador after crossing the finish line.
The captain of Tinkoff-Saxo was delivered in the front of the peloton on the final climb by his teammates and attacked with 2 kilometers to go just as several favorites looked to be in difficulties. Together with Joaquim Rodriguez and Nairo Quintana, Alberto finished 23 seconds ahead of rivals Alejandro Valverde and Chris Froome.
“Whenever I have the legs, I have to try. I haven’t been able to prepare properly for the Vuelta to ride for the GC as a goal. I hope to improve day-by-day, but I’m aware that there are other riders, who have been training meticulously ahead of this race. Perhaps today they didn’t have a good day, but the Vuelta has just begun”, adds Alberto Contador.
About the consequences of today’s stage, Alberto drew attention to the approaching individual time trial and the importance of performing at top level there.
“It’s always important to be ahead and if it’s because you’ve left your opponents further down the mountain, better, but I don’t think it’s important yet. We aren’t even halfway through the Vuelta and we still have many mountains to climb”, Alberto stated before talking about Tuesday’s time trial:
“I don’t know how I’ll perform in the time trial. It will be a moment, where we will see which shape everybody is in. On a normal stage you’re able to hide a little more, but in the time trial, it’s just you and your shape. Let’s see, I hope to do a good race, although I think there will be better riders than me”.
