Psychological games amongst race favorites continue
Alberto Contador came in with the group of the race favorites in today’s stage of the Tour de France to Plateau de Beille, conceding only two seconds to Andy Schleck. Battered by crashes in the first week, the Spaniard says he is improving and hopes to regain lost time in the stages in the Alps in the final week.
The Schleck brothers have said their opponents didn’t try to attack on stage 14, with the exception of Ivan Basso. Contador agrees, but says his ailments were to blame in this first mountain week. “I don’t like it at all to race like this, it’s cycling that is totally different to me. But for one reason or another I am not going like I want to. You have to adapt how your legs and your sensations are.”
The Spaniard sees a silver lining. “Today I didn’t have a bad day; I felt ok and I hope to get better day after day.” He is waiting for the very tough final week. “In the Alps I will be totally recuperated and I can take back time.” He had previously said that this Tour wasn’t his. “My sensations aren’t great but I put up with it.”
Contador had to answer several attacks today. While it sometimes appeared that it took him a bit of time to react, he hung in well and at one point it was Fränk Schleck who was trailing. “I didn’t have too much trouble today and that encourages me for the stages to come.”
Contador reiterated that unlike some of his close rivals he had a tough start to the Tour. “And let’s not forget that my race calendar wasn’t ideal to tackle the Tour de France.” Contador rode the Giro d’Italia, which was a very hard one this year.
Despite not being able to attack the Schleck brothers, Contador says the Luxemburgers aren’t in the best position. “Everyday where they don’t make up time on a rival like Cadel Evans victory will be harder for them.” Both Contador and Evans are strong time trialers, with a final test against the clock on Saturday.
The Saxo Bank rider does not believe that Thomas Voeckler will hang on to the lead until Paris. “He is a tough guy who clings on, but the day he explodes, he will explode hard. He will lose a lot of time, although for the moment he is incredible.”
Contador sees the Alps with a lot of optimism and sees advantages over his opponents. “The riders are beat up even more, and the climbs are on higher altitude, which suits me better. There is still a lot of Tour left.”