Ronda – 27. August 2014
Tinkoff-Saxo attacked with over 30 kilometers to the finish line in Ronda in an attempt to split the peloton and leave rivals in the wake. In a section with crosswinds the entire team moved to the front and succeeded in splitting the bunch into several groups, but all GC-contenders managed to make the cut in the front group. After the 5th stage of Vuelta a España, team leader Alberto Contador said:
“The team needed more information about, who was behind and who wasn’t, we didn’t know who had been left behind. I think that we managed to leave a few interesting riders behind in the initial part, but then they came back and we wasn’t aware of this. There was a bit of confusion, but well, we tried. We have to be aware and continue to be well placed in the peloton, because anything can happen on stages like this”.
About Froome’s sprint, where he won two bonus seconds, Alberto said he expected it.
“Yes, we saw him attacking. In the first sprint he tried, but Bouhanni and FDJ pulled him back again. In the second sprint he attacked with his teammate from a bit further away, but it isn’t important in the long run”, Alberto Contador said.
Tinkoff-Saxo’s attack in the crosswind put all riders under pressure and Alberto had the opportunity to see how his knee reacted to the increased intensity.
“Each day passing without major problems is a good thing, but it is true that my situation is still the same, not better nor worse. Now we will recover from today’s efforts – it was once again a very hot day”, adds the Spanish team leader.
Tomorrow will probably be an important day featuring the first top finish of the race. Alberto Contador believes that, for him, it will be a day to see how he’s condition is, when put under pressure on the climbs.
“Tomorrow, my ambition is to identify my current shape. I’m sure that there will be riders better than me with more explosiveness. I hope to do a good race without loosing my position in the GC. I’ll do the best I can and see what that will amount to. According to how it goes, we’ll see what the team tactics will be for the rest of the race”, explains Alberto after stage five and continues.
“My condition is as I expected. I need more days of competition, more training, because these days are demanding if you haven’t had a good approach to the race. But we’ll see how I am tomorrow. Although it’s a short climb, the heat means that the differences may be bigger than expected, but not between all the favorites”, concludes Alberto, who was impressed by the team’s performance and strength.
