Spaniard confident that current gap can be overcome in final time trial
Tomorrow Alberto Contador and his rivals head into the Pyrenees for the decisive part of the 2010 Tour de France. Four days will likely shape the final general classification, as Le Tour celebrates the 100th anniversary of the first time the Pyrenees were added to the race. Contador is still a half minute behind yellow jersey Andy Schleck – a time difference that can be quickly gained or lost in a high mountain stage.
Yesterday Contador took the ten seconds back from Schleck that the Luxemburger gained in stage eight to Morzine-Avoriaz. Contador knows that any second counts ina three-week race. “Here, as you can have a good day, you can also have a bad day and in the Pyrenees, as hard as they are, the thing is not to fail, and not lose time,” Contador says.
The ten seconds gained back may not amount to too much in absolute time, but it can have a positive effect on Contador’s mind. “[The ten seconds] are not much, but you never know if they will be decisive in the end. Psychologically, they were very good.” Contador also realizes that any time he can get back on Andy Schleck is good. “He is going very well. We talked many times and I know him well. He is a guy who doesn’t surrender. Once the mountains start he will undoubtedly have the guts to try again and see what he can do.”
Contador says that he will race conservatively, as his situation in the race is good. “If I don’t see a good opportunity, I won’t try to attack, because my position with regards to Andy is good.” That means not necessarily chasing after each and every second on the road. “You always like to be in front and if I can I will try, but if I don’t have an off-day in the time trial, I can make up the deficit there.”
But Contador doesn’t expect a quiet race through the Pyrenees and thinks that a Schleck attack is likely to come. “He needs to try more than I in the mountains.” Despite talking with the Luxemburger often, there is one thing he cannot figure out. “I am not exactly sure who is more nervous – he or I.”
Contador continues to say what he has said since the pre-Tour recon rides in south-western France. “The Pyrenees will be the judges of the race. I hope to have good form, as every day I am feeling better.” Despite knowing that he could live with a 31-second deficit for the time trial, the Spaniard would still prefer to reduce the gap. “I hope I can gain some time on those hard stages and if possible be ahead of Andy Schleck.”
Tomorrow’s first Pyrenees stage ends in Ax 3 Domaine, but the previous part is important, too. “There is a really hard climb, the Port de Pailhères.” Contador is impressed with the hors catégory mountain that is 15.5 kilometers long, with an average gradient of 7.9 percent. It also comes very late in the race, the top being just 30km from the finish and with the finishing climb (7.8 km averaging 8.2 percent) still to come.
Contador rates himself at the level of Schleck, with a possible duel “being quite equal. One day one is a little better, the other day the other is a little better. But it is clear that I have a certain calmness with the time trial in Bordeaux, in case I am not capable of gaining time [in the mountains] or if I lose a little more.”
The hearty hug that Contador gave teammate Alexander Vinokourov today after the latter won stage 13 with a solo flyer should also quieten the critic that Contador has received for his move yesterday. In stage 12, he chose to prevent Vino from getting the stage win, in favor of taking out time on Andy Schleck. Today Vinokourov achieved his personal goal and is likely to give his all to Contador for the rest of the race.