Spaniard with another decent descent, but fails to take time out of rivals
Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) attacked on the descent into Pinerolo on today’s 17th stage of the Tour de France. Together with Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) they created a gap of around ten seconds over the group containing overall contenders Fränk and Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) as well as Cadel Evans (BMC). By the finish line, they were all united again,except for Thomas Voeckler, who lost precious time on the Italian roads.
Contador didn’t think his effort was a waste of energy one day ahead of the big stage from Pinerolo to Galibier Serre-Chevalier. “The effort is the same for everyone,” he said after his two-man time trial with fellow Spaniard Sánchez. “It wasn’t too risky – the descent was dangerous, but I had everything under control, without pushing my limits.”
The group closed the gap by the finish, so Contador failed to make up any time in the overall classification. “Behind, there were many riders, so it was easy for them to reduce the gap, but the important thing is to try it every day.” Contador still has to make up the deficit he lost on stage one, when he was caught behind a crash.
Contador wondered why the Schleck brothers didn’t attack, as he feels they need to make up time on the stronger time trialers in the mountains. So the Spaniard went himself on the last climb, but couldn’t get rid of the Luxemburgers. “They follow me, but I am doing my race.”
His race included taking time out of yellow jersey wearer Thomas Voeckler, who had trouble going down the hill today. Contador noted the time gain. “That’s very good, because he is a great rider who has defended himself in incredible fashion in the Pyrenees and any time that he is losing is important.”
There are still two more days in the Alps left to sort out the general classification before the final time trial in Grenoble. Contador thinks that Thursday will be the most important stage. “For its toughness, but also the last part of the Galibier is very open and the percentages are not very high – everything will depend on where the wind is coming from.”
Many are already talking about Friday’s showdown atop Alpe d’Huez. “It is short and very explosive, but without a doubt the tougher stage is tomorrow.”
Today’s stage went over Sestriere, where Contador was close to complete his Giro d’Italia triumph in May. “I knew we would have a typical Giro descent today where I had to try,” he said. There was not much to be gained on the ascent. “Everybody was vigilant and the climb wasn’t very hard. I tried, which is the most important.” Contador put in a brief attack, but was quickly marked by everyone else.
After a tiring Giro, the unfortunate time loss on stage one and his crashes in the first week of the Tour, Contador longed for just one thing. “I would love to be the same guy as in the Giro. What I can do I will do, but the other riders are very strong and everybody has the same motivation.” Which is the overall victory in Paris, but Contador trails Voeckler by 3’15 and Evans by 1’57 . “It will be very difficult,” Contador acknowledged.