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May 22, 2013
















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CONTADOR: MORE ON LIÈGE-BASTOGNE- LIÈGE ROUTE

April 20, 2013 - At race presentation, Saxo-Tinkoff leader says "these kinds of Classics always have a great atmoshpere"

Read the Cyclingnews interview from the Liège presentation today

Riding for Team Saxo-Tinkoff at the 99th Liège-Bastogne-Liège (Sunday, April 21):

61 Alberto Contador, 62 Mads Christensen, 63 Roman Kreuziger, 64 Karsten Kroon, 65 Nicolas Roche, 66 Chris Anker Sorensen, 67 Nicki Sorensen, 68 Oliver Zaugg

As always, go to our RACE ATLAS for tons of information about the race.

CONTADOR AT LIÈGE-BASTOGNE- LIÈGE

April 19, 2013 - Alberto will put in one last effort in the Ardennes on Sunday before breaking for rest and Tour prep

Contador and team check out the Liège-Bastogne- Liège route (AC press room)

Saxo-Tinkoff did reconnaissance of the final 80 kilometers of Liège-Bastogne- Liège today, where they encountered what’s new in this edition: the substitution of the Côte de Colonster for what has been the decisive point in recent editions, the Roche aux Faucons, at 20 kilometers from the finish line. “You can see that the change has made a significant difference. The road on the new climb is wide, which could even make it open to the wind, and the teams will be able to work for whoever’s going for the win. It’s going to make the group that reaches the Saint-Nicolas quite a bit bigger than on past occasions,” said Alberto Contador after getting off the bike.

“I like the other version better,” Contador continued, “but you never know how the race will develop or exactly how the battle will take shape.” About the favorites, he thinks that they’ll be “the people that finished well in Flèche, especially because it looks like the Saint-Nicolas is where things will break apart, and you’ll have to have that kind of speed that, in my case, I just don’t have. There are candidates like Dani Moreno, Gilbert, Alejandro, Joaquim and lots of others who will have possibilities. We’ll have to see how the race goes.”

After riding La Fèche Wallonne and after this latest training ride, the leader of Team Saxo-Tinkoff says that he feels “plenty of accumulated fatigue from the beginning of the season, which has been pretty long. My body notices it, but it’s the last day of competition before the scheduled break to start Tour preparation, and I’ll do the best I can.”

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

LIÈGE-BASTOGNE- LIÈGE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

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Read Alberto Contador's tweets and see his photos at his OFFICIAL WEBSITE.

OFF THE PACE AT LA FLÈCHE WALLONNE

April 17, 2013 - Legs not so good in Ardennes today, says Contador

Alberto Contador finished the 205 kilometers of today’s Flèche Wallonne with the feeling of “not having found the pedal stroke. I don’t know if it’s due to fatigue or because I’ve been out of action so much in the last week,” he said after crossing the finish line on the Mur de Huy.

Alberto commented that “in the final part I saw that I didn’t have the legs and I decided to stay where I was and to take it easy.” About the work of Saxo-Tinkoff, he said that his team “was very good, attentive at the front of the race. I didn’t have good legs today,” he repeated, “but we’ll see on Sunday.”

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Saxo-Tinkoff director: ”It was a very tough finale and the final 50 kilometers were done at an extreme pace but the boys got organized in the peloton with 5 kilometers to go. However, Nicki and Alberto lost their position on the descent to the foot of Mur de Huy. Roman was in a good position but he doesn't have this kind of explosive power needed in order to make it on a steep climb like this. Now, we're looking to big and final Spring classic this season, Liege-Bastogne-Liege on Sunday."

RESULTS: Contador in the 77th Flèche Wallonne, 33rd (0:40 Dani Moreno).

CONTADOR IN FOR THE ARDENNES

April 15, 2013 - He says he feels good enough to give it a go in Flèche and Liège

Alberto Contador has decided today to take the start in this week’s editions of La Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Contador made the decision after doing some recent satisfactory training sessions, and has found that, in spite of accumulated fatigue, he has been able to recover sufficiently to tackle these two races with reasonable assurances.

“This past week, I dedicated myself to rest more than anything else, because I needed it, and I’ve only done two longer training sessions in search of the endurance that these races demand. The idea is to test my physical condition and to increase my team’s chances,” he said.

How are you feeling at this time?
A little tired. I started to ride in the second week of January, in Argentina, and the fatigue is noticeable.

What made you decide to ride in the Ardennes?
Saxo-Tinkoff wanted me to be there and, of course, everybody likes to ride these races, even though it might be better to skip it to prepare for the Tour de France. But I’ll only have to extend my race calendar by a week, so I’ll try to do the best I can. Then I’ll take a vacation before starting Tour preparation.

Why have you waited until the last minute to make a decision?
Because I wanted to do two training sessions over the weekend to see if my legs have recovered, because going without having recovered is not a good thing. Those sessions weren’t anything extraordinary, but I’m at a good level, so why not give it a try?

Who are the favorites for the victory?
There are several, although I don’t know exactly who is participating. If I had to point to someone for Flèche Wallonne, I’d say Joaquim Rodríguez. I think he’s finished second twice and first once in recent years, and that’s no accident. In the second tier I’d put Valverde and Gilbert. Same again for Liège, plus Sagan if, in the end, he’s rides it. After them, there’s a group of us who could also be there, depending on how things go in each race, since we’re not as fast. We’ll have to look for an opportunity.

Will you be the Saxo-Tinkoff leader, or will you share that responsibility with some of your teammates?
I won’t be the only leader in these races, because we have a lot of riders with options. Roman Kreuziger is very strong right now and is well adapted to these races. I’ll just be one more guy on the team.

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room



77th Flèche Wallonne promotional video

WEEKEND UPDATE FROM BASQUE COUNTRY

April 7, 2013 - Contador finishes grueling week in País Vasco with good placings

Alberto Contador capped off a week of racing in horrendous weather conditions in Basque Country today with a podium finish in the one-day Klasika Primavera de Amorebieta. After a select group escaped during the final climbs, Contador and Intxausi locked horns in a thrilling duel, but it was Intxauti's teammate Rui Costa who squeeked in for the win.

Yesterday, Contador finished 10th in the final time trial of the Tour of the Basque Country, placing him 5th overall.

More information later



59th Klasika Primavera de Amorebieta, extended highlights



59th Klasika Primavera in one minute

COMING UP

April 7, 2013 - Grrrreat photo gallery by Colin Flockton!

We excited and proud to be preparing a gallery of fabulous photos by photographer Colin Flockton, who - like Contador and the other riders - survived the Vuelta al País Vasco so that we could enjoy great sport.

Check back, it's coming soon!

CONTADOR IN 4TH AT 0:10 INTO FINAL ITT

April 6, 2013 - 24-km ITT will decide the 53rd Vuelta al País Vasco

Alberto Contador maintained fourth place in the general classification in Basque Country yesterday, and is placed 0:10 from the GC leader, Sergio Henao.

He leaves the gate for today's ITT at 16:30.

SHOOT-OUT AT ARRATE

April 4, 2013 - Quintana squeaks by for victory on iconic climb, but clues to final GC win are elusive

Alberto Contador arrived hot on the heels of Movistar's Nairo Quintana in today's Stage 4 of the Vuelta al País Vasco, crossing the finish line at the Santuario de Arrate in the rain with a handful of other GC favorites at 0:02.

After a cold, wet and dangerous stage, Contador remains in fourth place overall, with his eye still on victory in the general classification going into the final two decisive days.

“At the end everybody wanted to watch and wait on the final climb, although nobody followed through. I countered the attacks of Henao and Porte until Nairo escaped in the last 300 meters. I did, in fact, still think that someone from the escape was still up ahead, and that we were not fighting for the stage win, but the most important thing is that the GC is still wide open,” said the Saxo-Tinkoff leader.

Contador likewise stressed the bad weather conditions, with rain from start to finish that soaked the peloton. “The pace was very fast and everybody wanted to get into an escape. The stage was marked by foul, rainy weather all day. I was never in bad shape, but the cold affected me and everybody else.”

“A very tough day awaits us tomorrow; anything could happen. It’ll depend a lot on the weather – whether or not it rains – and on the descents,” he concluded.

Tomorrow's stage will be extraordinarily grueling; Saturday the race concludes with a 24-km individual time trial. With the Latinos on a roll, and Porte - a good time-trialist - still tied with Contador, it's anybody's race.

Contador's comments via biciciclismo.com

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Saxo-Tinkoff DS: ”It was a good but very cold and wet day for us. Alberto, however becomes stronger and stronger while other riders had a hard time in the cold and on the much tougher stage than yesterday's. Tomorrow's stage will be very hard to control for any team and we're aiming to do a good result on the most demanding day of all here.”

Nairo Quintana, stage winner: “It was too hard. Very cold, very rainy. It was quite dangerous...We don't know how we´re going to do in the time trial. Tomorrow's stage is still left, and everything will be marked by the rain. Also the time trial.”

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 4, 3rd (0:02 Quintana - 3:58:52). Contador in GC, 4th (0:10 Henao - 16:23:20)

LEADER BOARD: 1 Henao (16:23:20), 2 Quintana (0:06), 3 Porte (0:10), 4 Contador (0:10), 5 Spilak (0:10), 6 Betancur (0:21), 7 Peraid (0:26), 8 Weening (0:35), 9 Caruso (0:35), 10 S. Sánchez (0:47)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - RACE WEBSITE - RACE ATLAS

EXPLOSIVE CLIMB OF LA LEJANA SHAKES UP GC

April 3, 2013 - Contador, now 4th in GC, says race is still open

Stage 3, April 2: Vitoria-Gasteiz - Trapagaran, 167.7 km

Alberto Contador was seventh at La Lejana, the end point of the third stage of the Vuelta al País Vasco, and now is fourth overall, behind today’s stage winner and new race leader Sergio Luis Henao, Richie Porte, and Nairo Quintana. The Saxo-Tinkoff rider says that the race has only just begun.

Alberto Contador reached the finish line today atop La Lejana in seventh place. This moves him to fourth overall, behind stage winner and new race leader Sergio Henao, Quintana (2nd) and Porte (3rd). The Saxo-Tinkoff leader, tied with Porte at 0:10, says that the race is just getting started.

At the finish line, Contador acknowledged that “Henao was very strong. Now we have to watch how the GC takes shape, but I think that we’re in a good situation.”

“There are three days left before we’ll know who the winner is, and you could say that the race really began today. It’s still very open, and not only because there are three stages left, but also because there’s not one single meter of rest here,” he emphasized.

Contador handed over the responsibility for the race to Team Sky: “Now Sky has to take command and control because both Henao and Richie are very strong and are both candidates for the victory.”

About the day’s work, he pointed out, “I was well positioned on the final climb. Nevertheless, there was an impressive crowd and there was a bottleneck and it was complicated to get through. I had to change bikes some 20 kilometers from the end, I had a flat tire, everybody was going full gas, but thanks to my teammates I was able to work it out with no problem and rejoin the group.”

Stage 4 on Thursday is another day of mountains that also ends with a summit finish, this one at Arrate. “I think that there’s rain forecast and that will be a factor in the race,” Contador said.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Saxo-Tinkoff DS: ”The team rode well and put on the pressure at the foot of the climb and Alberto was in a good position on the final, narrow and extremely steep section of the uphill finish. He's moving up in the GC and of course, we're happy about that. The next two stages are demanding which suits us just fine and I think the climbs will be a better match for Alberto. Tomorrow, it's going to rain so we have to be careful on the descents and Friday's stage will probably be the hardest stage of all.”

Nairo Quintana (Movistar): “It was a positive day on the whole, even though it left me a little angry because I committed an error in positioning and paid for it later. I know Henao extremely well and I knew that he was very strong, but maybe I made a mistake in pushing ahead of his attack. Afterward he took advantage of it and caught my wheel and I was nailed.”

Igor Antón (Euskaltel Euskadi): “It was a day of going from less to more. In the first part, I wasn’t doing well and just pedaling was an effort. In the decisive part, I felt better and when the pressure was on, my legs responded. I could’ve been a little farther up, but now the only thing worth looking at is Arrate.”

Samuel Sánchez, defending champion: “The final kilometers were very dangerous, and the last of the slopes very explosive. I defended a territory that’s not the best for me and I tried to give up as little time as possible. There are more explosive cyclists that I am, and they have to take advantage of being on their turf.”

Comments by the rides from biciciclismo.com

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 3, 7th (0:10 Henao - 3:54:22). Contador in GC, 4th (0:10 Henao - 12:24:26)

LEADER BOARD: 1 Henao, 2 Quintana (0:08), 3 Porte (0:10), 4 Contador (0:10), 5 Caruso (0:10), 6 Spilak (0:10), 7 Fuglsang (0:21) 8 Weening (0:21), 9 Herrada (0:21), 10 Betancur (0:21)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - RACE WEBSITE - RACE ATLAS

CALM TODAY, SUMMIT FINISH TOMORROW

April 2, 2013 - Contador and team "will be the best that we can be" on uphill finish at La Lejana

Alberto Contador spends a few relaxed moments on stage before the day's work begins (sourced from Twitter)

Stage 2, April 2: Elgoibar - Vitoria-Gasteiz, 170.2 km

Alberto Contador reached the finish line in Stage 2 of the Vuelta al País Vasco in the safety of the peloton. After an all-day solo escapade by Amets Txurruka (Caja Rural), the stage ended in a bunch sprint won by Daryl Impey of Orica GreenEdge.

Contador said that today “was a pretty calm stage and with less tension, although it was also quite fast. The escape consisted of only one rider, Txurruka, who was impressive, and since there were several teams interested in arriving in a group, our team didn’t have to work as hard.”

“At the end we did indeed pay close attention in case something unexpected happened,” he continued. “I’m happy because we were mostly untroubled by rain, and that’s much appreciated, because it means less risk,” he said.

On Wednesday at La Lejana, Contador will tackle the first of the two uphill finishes in this edition of the Vuelta al País Vasco. (The second is Thursday at Arrate.) Going into Stage 3, Contador is one of a group of 16 at the top of the leader board who share the same time overall as race leader Francesco Gavazzi (Astana).

The Saxo-Tinkoff leader hopes to be among the best. “It will be a stage that gives us a glimpse of each rider’s strengths, even though the finale won’t be so much about a mountain per se as a final ascent that’s more typical of a classic. We’re going to try to be the best that we can be,” he explained after Stage 2 in Vitoria-Gasteiz.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Saxo-Tinkoff DS: ”Today' stage went as we had hoped for and we left most of the work in the front of the bunch to GreenEdge who had their overall lead to defend and the stage win to shoot for. However, we did move to the front on the final climb to help pulling the escapees back in and more importantly to go over the top in the first line to avoid accidents on the descent. Tomorrow's stage is far more demanding and a thrilling finale is waiting on the steep uphill finish. To succeed in the overall, we have to be up among the best tomorrow.”

Samuel Sánchez, defending champion: (About tomorrow’s uphill finish) “On paper, the profile is not as demanding as the fifth stage, for example, but the slopes of La Lejana are plenty steep and it’s possible that it will cause time gaps. It’s an explosive finale and we’ll have to see where our strength carries us.”

Amets Txurruka, in the break again today: “I think it was worth it. It was a shame not to be able to get the stage win, but it was very complicated. The people here are cheering for me and that gives you strength. How close the public is to us here makes this race special. I enjoyed the stage and we’ll continue riding like this.”

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 2, 61st (s.t. Daryl Impey – 4:23:31). Contador in GC, 13th (s.t. Gavazzi – 8:30:04)

LEADER BOARD (all s.t. Gavazzi): 1 Gavazzi, 2 Vicioso, 3 P. Velits, 4 Fuglsang, 5 Quintana, 6 Henao, 7 Gerrans, 8 Porte, 9 R. Costa, 10 Van Garderen, 11 Weening, 12 Dyachenko, 13 Contador, 14 Kreuziger, 15 Herrada, 16 Bagot, 17 Spilak

Comments by Contador, Sánchez and Txurruka are taken from biciclismo.com

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - RACE WEBSITE - RACE ATLAS



Stage 2 highlights

BASQUE BATTLE BEGINS IN ELGOIBAR

April 1, 2013 - Contador revs his engine as the road winds up, down, and all around."They're all like that in País Vasco," he says.

The Saxo-Tinkoff team, led by Jesús Hernández, kept Contador safe in Stage 1 (Michelena)

Stage 1, April 1: Elgoibar - Elgoibar, 156,5 Km

Alberto Contador stayed on his toes and finished with the front group after a technical Stage 1 kicked off the Vuelta al País Vasco in Elgoibar today. Contador even led the group on the tricky descent of San Miguel, the site of a crash which shattered the peloton.

He gave the stage a satisfactory review: “It was a very tough and demanding stage, but they're all like that in País Vasco, so it comes as no surprise. I felt good, and even though this hasn´t been a day for drawing any conclusions, I’ve finished happy.”

His Saxo-Tinkoff team, who spent the day working in front, were anything but wallflowers. “The team took responsibility from the very beginning because it was in our interest, since the seven-man escape had riders in it from important teams. Eventually there were only two left, and in the peloton we never took our minds off of them,” he explained. “The team was impressive and protected me. In the end, we kept to the front to avoid splits,” he added.

About the key crash at the top of the San Miguel, Contador revealed that “we were riding in front and we heard something behind us, but we had no idea what had happened. We were focused on going full gas to the finish line.”

PLAYBOOK

Saxo-Tinkoff drove the pace for most of the day in front of a tight pack, keeping an eye on an escape group of two: Amets Txurruka and Laurent Didier. Txurruka outlasted Didier and claimed the first KOM jersey of the race, but was overtaken by the peloton at about 18 km to go. Saxo-Tinkoff riders - notably Paulinho, Rogers and Jesús Hernández - took turns doing long pulls on the front.

Going into the final kilometers, the tempo rose like an exploding cartoon thermometer. Saxo-Tinkoff shared the work in front heading up the last climb, the 2nd-category San Miguel, at 9 km from the finish. Some Belgian riders fell heavily and were hurt at the crest of the climb, causing a split in the pack. A number of favorites, like defending champion Samuel Sánchez, were caught behind it, but Contador and others stayed clear. The descent was mad, led part of the way by a kamikaze Peter Weening, but also by Alberto, who looked ferocious.

Simon Gerrans took the win in the final sprint. The favorites detained behind the crash lost only a few seconds to the Contador group, who finished in the same time as Gerrans.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Saxo-Tinkoff DS: ”We took the responsibility of setting the pace early on but let the two escapees have their saying until the finale where we pulled them back in. In the pretty chaotic finale we had both Alberto and Roman (Kreuziger) in the first group which we're happy with. The boys are all in great shape, which they demonstrated today and they are eager to make a good result here. Tomorow, there's another hard stage with several climbs along the way but I think that a big group will sprint it out in the finale."

Samuel Sánchez, defending champion: “It was a grueling stage, just like all of the ones in this race are going to be. In a tour as hard as this one, five seconds isn't going to be decisive, but nobody likes to start out by losing time...Crashes and getting stuck behind them are a part of cycling. On this occasion we weren´t lucky, but we just have to let it go. Tomorrow we've got a new stage and we have to keep working.”

Amets Txurruka, in the day's escape: "You never know, but you have to try. Once in the escape, my goal was to win the moutains jersey. With a bigger group there might have been chances, but it's very complicated for one or two alone. Luckily I was able to win it, and the Metas Volantes as well. I was pushing to see if I could get to the other Meta Volante and pass through my village, which I was very excited about."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 1, 7th (s.t. Simon Gerrans - 4:06:33). Contador in GC, 7th (s.t. Gerrans)

LEADERBOARD: 1 Gerrans (4:06:33), 2 Velits (s.t.), 3 Vicioso (s.t.), 4 Gavazzi (s.t.), 5 Fuglsang (s.t.), 6 Henao (s.t.), 7 Contador (s.t.), 8 Porte (s.t.), 9 Quintana (s.t.), 10 Weening (s.t.)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - RACE WEBSITE - RACE ATLAS - PHOTOS



Stage 1 highlights

COMING UP: VUELTA AL PAÍS VASCO

March 28, 2013 - Contador to ride Tour of the Basque Country, April 1-6

Alberto Contador will take part in the fifty-third edition of the Vuelta al País Vasco (Tour of the Basque Country) starting Monday, April 1. The tour is hilly throughout the six stages, and will end with a 24-km individual time trial on Saturday, April 6.

This is the next important objective of Contador's early-season campaign. He will cap off the week in Basque Country by competing in the one-day Klasika Primavera de Amorebieta on Sunday, April 7.

EITB TV/Radio spoke with Alberto on the telephone about next week's racing. Enjoy the interview below.



In English here

STUDY THE BASQUE RACES

Map, profiles and essential information at our Race Atlas

Get the facts about the route for next week's 53rd Vuelta al País Vasco and Klasika Primavera de Amorebieta at our Race Atlas. See profiles for each stage, regional maps, rosters, start times and lots more important information.

Don't miss it!

GO TO VUELTA AL PAÍS VASCO

GO TO KLASIKA PRIMAVERA DE AMOREBIETA

NO CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL FOR CONTADOR

March 21, 2013 - Flu sidelines Alberto for Corsica race

Alberto Contador will not be able to attend the Criterium International this weekend (March 23 and 24) due to a bad case of flu. Contador has been under the weather since returning home from Italy after riding Tirreno-Adriatico and the GP Noblili.

The Saxo-Tinkoff leader’s health took a turn after enduring day after day of cold and rain while competing in these races, where inclement weather persisted throughout most of the stages. He has decided therefore, in agreement with Bjarne Riis and the team doctors, that the best thing for the time being is to rest and recuperate quietly. This will allow him to resume training as soon as possible, with the goal of regaining fitness for his next objective in this phase of the season, the Vuelta al País Vasco.

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

JUNIOR TEAM PRESENTATION VIDEOS

February 3, 2013 - Interviews and raw video from Specialized-Alberto Contador Foundation team presentation in Segovia

Lots more at ViddyContador

SPECIALIZED-ALBERTO CONTADOR FOUNDATION TEAM

February 2, 2013 - The Contador brothers launch junior team in Segovia

Contador's junior team was officially launched on February 2 in Segovia (AC press room)

Specialized-Alberto Contador Foundation junior team is presented in Segovia as the first step in a global project

The kickoff event for the junior team sponsored by Alberto Contador, the Specialized-Alberto Contador Foundation team, took place this morning in Segovia. Afterwards, Contador joined the young squad for its first official training session.

In presenting the project, Alberto pointed to “the hopes and dreams with which we’ve initiated this team and everything involved in it, such as the cycling schools in Pinto, and next year, the women’s and Sub-23 teams.”

“It’s an enormous undertaking for us, but it’s things like this that you can really get excited about. It’s a young generation, full of hopes, and this is what we really need. When we were considering it, my brother and I had many questions, but it has been possible thanks to the backing of all the sponsors. We’re very happy to be able to play a small role.”

The Contador brothers’ dream – since Fran is also the team’s manager – is to offer these young cycling enthusiasts the chance to serve an apprenticeship under the auspices of the Alberto Contador Foundation, from coming up through the schools to making a start as professionals. It is an especially compelling project given these financial times, when the commitment shown by all the sponsors and partners of the Foundation is more greatly appreciated than ever.

Attending the presentation was the mayor of Segovia, Pedro Arahuentes, who highlighted the vital link between the city and the team under the direction of José Luis de Santos. Perico Delgado was also in attendance to show his support for the initiative.

Roster
Óscar Linares and Pablo Noriega (Cantabria), Víctor Aguado and Diego Pablo Sevilla (Madrid), Cristian Torres (Albacete), Enric Mas (Mallorca), Álvaro Cuadros (Granada), Juanjo Pazos, Francisco Pérez and Sergio Fernández (Cantabria), Miguel Ángel Ballesteros (Murcia), Miguel Ángel Alcaide (Toledo), Fernando Barceló (Huesca) and Iosu Angoita (País Vasco).

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room



Alberto Contador accompanies the junior team on their first official training ride (AC press room)

2013 RACES

January 6, 2013 - Contador tells MARCA his calendar through April, confirms Tour participation

Tour de San Luis, January 21-27
Tour of Oman, February 11-16
Tirreno-Adriatico, March 6-12
Criterium International, March 23-24
Vuelta al País Vasco, April 1-6
Tour de France, June 29-July 21

Amstel Gold Race, Fleche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège are also possibilities.

VIDEO: ALBERTO CONTADOR SPEAKS ABOUT HIS 2013 SEASON

PRESS FOLIO

January 6, 2013 - Lots of updates

Alberto Contador was recently in Dubai to promote a new race planned for the 2014 calendar. While there, he spoke with Cyclingnews and defeated Vincenzo Nibali and Ryder Hesjedal in a 1-kilometer sprint - his first victory of the year!

Go to the PRESS FOLIO to read about this, plus predictions for this year's Vuelta route, The Inner Ring's 2013 comprehensive race calendar, and much more.

NEW: ALBERTO CONTADOR NOTEBOOK PRESS FOLIO

November 21, 2012 - Keep up to date with Alberto Contador news links and browser

We've kept track of all of Alberto's press listings for years, and now we have a new way to share the highlights with you.

Our new PRESS FOLIO is a combination press library and browser. It's designed to put news highlights at your fingertips, and to give you quick access to international sources for cycling news.

Consult the Press Folio daily for updates and links to a wide range of journals, photo and video sources, and race information. Enjoy!

CONTADOR 9TH IN LOMBARDIA

September 29, 2012 - Alberto with the best, but Purito gets the win

In the cold autumn rain and fog, Alberto Contador finished Il Lombardia among the strongest riders today, but did not answer a decisive surge by Purito Rodríguez in the final kilometers.

Contador finishes his 2012 season with 9th in the Race of the Falling Leaves, behind Rodríguez, S. Sánchez, Uran and the other brave souls who survived the harsh weather and grueling route.

Full report later

CONTADOR, SUPERB ON SUPERGA, WINS MILANO-TORINO

September 26, 2012 - Saxo-Tinkoff director Gates says "Alberto was in a league of his own" in first career classics win

Alberto Contador won today's Italian classic, Milano-Torino, the oldest race on the Italian calendar, in a summit finish pitched dramatically on the mountain of the Basicia de Superga.

Contador attacked to win the first edition of the race to be held since 2007, prevailing on the Superga, an emblematic Italian climb of about 5 km at 9% average gradient, where the last Spaniard to leave his mark with a victory was Federico Martín Bahamontes, in Stage 4 of the 1958 Giro d’Italia.

Today, Contador, leader of Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank, has proven his late season form prior to his last race of the year at Lombardia on Saturday. “It was an all-out effort. Joaquim (Rodríguez) took a few meters on me, and I had to get to work. I was able to catch him, I took a little breather on his wheel, and then I tried,” explained Alberto, whose subsequent attack in the final kilometer was definitive.

“I’m very, very happy to win, especially to do it in Italy,” he said. “This morning, when I got up, I weighed 2.4 kilos more than at the Vuelta, and I knew that it was 190 kilometers, that yesterday I hadn’t trained and that the day before yesterday I’d only done 40 kilometers, but the question was to get to the finish with strength in my legs.”

Alberto, who after the effort of the World Championships, went back to Pinto on Monday, only to get back on the plane on Tuesday – was a little tired, which is why this victory, to him “has been, in a manner of speaking, an unexpected victory. I dedicate it to all my teammates, and to someone who has been often on my mind during the Worlds, Victor Cabedo. Wherever he is, this victory is for him.”

On Saturday, Alberto will race again, this time in Il Lombardia, his last race of the season, and something that, for now, he’d rather not think about. “Now what I need is to rest and eat well. We’ll talk on Saturday!”

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

PLAYBOOK:

Alberto was the strongest of an impressive field today that included past winners of the Giro and Vuelta, plus his arch-rival in this year's Vuelta, Purito Rodríguez. Six Saxo-Tinkoff teammates labored on the slopes of the first of two climbs that capped off the 195-km course through northern Italy, in order to smooth the way for team leader Contador. The Pinteño then launched a deadly attack - "impossible to follow", in Purito's words - in the final kilometer of the summit finish on the Superga.

The best stage racer in the world now proves his versatility by adding the first victory in a one-day race to his outstanding palmares, recently augmented by the overall title in the Vuelta a España.

At the finish line, Alberto said, “It’s a beautiful victory. My teammates believed in me from the beginning, I couldn’t go wrong. After the Vuelta, I felt that I was indebted to them, I wanted to repay for their great work by winning again. This race has left me speechless, it’s offered us stunning views. I’m happy to have won here. The dedication? This success is for Victor Cabedo, the youngest member of the Euskaltel-Euskadi team, who lost his life in training due to a car accident a few days ago. Il Lombardia? I’m going to rest now. We’ll think about that on Saturday!”

And according to Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank director, Nick Gates: “Two riders stole the limelight from the get-go by launching an early breakaway but the peloton animated by Liquigas swallowed the duo before the finale and on the steep and very demanding uphill, Alberto was in a league of his own. He broke clear and dropped everyone on the final kilometer and made t to the finish line in solitude. A great win and a promising effort prior to Saturday's Tour of Lombardy."

RESULTS: 1 Alberto Contador, 2 Diego Ulissi, 3 Fredrik Kessiakoff, 4 Joaquín Rodriguez, 5 Carlos Betancur, 6 Fabio Taborre, 7 Domenico Pozzovivo, 8 Chris Anker Sorensen, 9 Vincenzo Nibali, 10 Franco Pellizotti

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LA VUELTA 2012

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ITALIAN AUTUMN CLASSICS

September 25, 2012 - Alberto Contador will ride two of the "Trittico di Autumno": Milano-Torino and Il Lombardia

Alberto Contdador will take part this week in two of the three Italian classics that form the set known as the Trittico di Autumno. Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 26, he rides the 93rd edition of Milano-Torino. He will skip the Giro del Piemonte the following day, but race again Saturday, September 29, in Il Lombardia, the Race of the Falling Leaves.

Il Lombardia will be Contador's final race of the season, but he will remain in the region to attend the route presentation for the 2013 edition of the Giro d'Italia in Milan on Sunday.

Riding for Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank at Milano-Torino and Lombardia: Alberto Contador, Manuele Boaro, Rafal Majka, Sérgio Paulinho, Bruno Pires, Chris Anker Sorensen, Nicki Sorensen and Matteo Tosatto

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CONTADOR ON WORLDS ROAD RACE

September 23, 2012 - Alberto sees possibilities for Freire and other Spaniards in "open race"

Contador (r) says hello to the camera while training with the Spanish Worlds team (@albertocontador)

Alberto Contador expects an open Worlds road race with many possible scenarios, therefore he considers it best to wait before making predictions. “We’ll have to see how the race develops, and make decisions accordingly. But if, in the end, I’m there, I’m aware that there are faster riders than I am.”

The best thing to Contador is that he feels well after his victory in the Vuelta a España. “I feel very well, I’m happy to be here representing Spain, and I’m calm after having had everything turn out so well in the Vuelta.” And he’s also happy because of how the public is receiving the event in the Netherlands. “Ever since I arrived, training on the circuit, people have been impressive. Even some cyclotourists go faster than we do, because there you are, giving everything, and they ride right up beside you to snap a photo. It’s been a very good host country, I’m delighted.”

Alberto waved off the idea of possible problems in the Spanish selection due to having so many riders capable of being leader. “On the contrary, especially in this Worlds, which will be very open and during which a thousand things could happen in the race. There’s no script, and the more leaders, the better.”

About Freire, for example, he thinks that his performance will depend on “his state of form, which I don’t know exactly, but if he reaches the end in a group of 15 or 20 after the Cauberg, he’s clearly a candidate for the win.” And that’s because, after doing reconnaissance of the circuit, he thinks that it is not too hard. “Personally, I would’ve liked a longer climb, a kilometer and a half or two kilometers, because the Cauberg is hard, but not very long for someone like me.”

As for his own chances, he says that his Worlds “is different and it depends on how the race develops and which groups are in front. That’s where I have to make a move. We’ll have to wait for the final part of the Worlds, but if I have to help, I’ll be there, too.”

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

NOS INTERVIEWS CONTADOR BEFORE WORLDS

September 22, 2012 - Up-and-coming Dutch riders a threat for the future

NOS | Alberto Contador doesn't place himself with the favorites for the World Championship on Sunday in Limburg. "The Cauberg is too short for me."

The winner of the Vuelta will do his "best to be of good service to the Spanish team. We'll see how it plays out."

Besides Contador, the Spanish team will start with Alejandro Valverde, Oscar Freire and Joaquim Rodriguez.

Strong Team

"The Cauberg is hard, but way too short. In a short climb, it is really difficult to ride away. If you get 5 or 6 seconds, and after that you have a kilometer into the head wind, it gets difficult."

Given that rationalization, it will also be difficult for Rodriguez and Morena, 3rd and 5th in the Vuelta, to ride away. There is a good chance that the Spaniards will play the card for Valverde or 3-time worldchampion Freire.

"You Can't Climb"

At the end, Contador was asked another question: "Why aren't the Dutch winning at the moment? In terms of races: Holland is flat. You can't climb," joked the Spaniard.

"No, Holland has really good riders. Rabobank did well in the Veulta. It is a young team. At any moment, they can break through and start winning."

Video interview and more comments at NOS

ANNA SANCHIS, LA CAMPEONA POLIFACÉTICA DE ESPAÑA

22 de septiembre, 2012 - Entrevista

Anna Sanchis corre a la victory llevando el casco de Contador (Josu Mondelo)

La ciclista profesional Anna Sanchis, flamante campeona de España en ruta y en crono, y campeona de Valencia en 2012 también, tiene más dotes en su dedo meñique que todos sus contrincantes mundiales, de ambos sexos, en las dos manos. Es verdad que esta es una declaración temeraria, pero que se apoya en las evidencias.

Su temporada de 2012 ha sido sobresaliente, pues sus campeonatos nos hablan de una lista larga de victorias. Pero la bici no es el único camino de vida entre otros varios, para esta mujer excepcional. Después de todo, ¿qué otro campeón tiene que decidir su calendario de carreras dando cuenta a los exigentes de la Escuela de Medicina? Y si hay uno, ¿pasa su tiempo libre tocando el Concierto de Violonchielo de Elgar?

Ahora mismo, Sanchis está jugando con sus compromisos académicos mientras se está preparando para afrontar el gran objetivo final de este año, los Campeonatos Mundiales de Valkemburg, en septiembre. Sin embargo, la simpática tricampeona, que ganó el Campeonato de España llevando un casco dado por Alberto Contador, ha tomado tiempo para responder cuestiones sobre sus varios propósitos de vida y sus metas para el futuro.

1. Felicitaciones, Anna, por tener una temporada fenomenal. ¿Cómo es ser una triple campeona, de Valencia y de España en la contrarreloj y la prueba en línea?

Estoy muy contenta por las victorias de este año. He trabajado muy duro y ahora se ve el resultado.

2. ¿Qué llegó primero en su vida, la música o la bici?

La bici!! Cuando era un bebé mi madre me tenía en brazos en la tienda de bicis mientras atendía a los clientes. Con el Violoncello empecé a los cinco años.

3. ¿Qué le ha dado motivación para estudiar para hacerse una médica? ¿Cuál ha sido su inspiración?

Desde pequeña me gusta el trabajo de médico y aunque durante los años de instituto no tenía pensado estudiar medicina por lo dura que es esta carrera, al final decidí que el esfuerzo merecía la pena.

4. ¿Qué tipo de medicina quiere practicar?

Aún no lo sé, tengo que hacer prácticas por las distintas especialidades, pero por ahora lo que más me gusta es forense o pediatría.

5. Usted es una ciclista profesional, una estudiante de medicina y una violonchelista. ¿Estas tres búsquedas tienen algo en común para usted? ¿Hay un vínculo en común entre las tres?

No tienen nada que ver. Creo que soy un poco polifacética! :)

6. ¿Cómo es posible para una persona combinar ciclismo, medicina y música, siendo cada una de estas disciplinas tan exigentes?

Es muy complicado compaginarlo porque las tres cosas exigen mucha dedicación y dejan poco tiempo libre, pero con esfuerzo todo puedo sacarlo.

7. ¿Cuál es su pasión más grande en la vida?

El ciclismo, sin duda.

Foto: La campeona Sanchis con su novio Jesús Hernández, hombre de confianza de Alberto Contador

8. Porque la música exige disciplina y finos movimientos físicos, como una campeona en bici que toca el chelo también, ¿qué consejos tiene para los músicos?

Que sigan buscando la perfección en cada una de sus interpretaciones.

9. Porque el ciclismo exige que una persona se mentalice y controle su presión y sus nervios para el mejor rendimiento, como una música que gana las carreras de ciclismo, ¿qué consejos tiene para los ciclistas?

Con el trabajo bien hecho siempre llegan los resultados. Hay que dejar de lado los nervios.

10. Ganó el campeonato de España de la cronorreloj individual mientras llevaba un casco que Alberto Contador le dio, ¿nos puede contar esa bonita historia?

Unos días antes del campeonato de España me di cuenta que había perdido mi casco de contrarreloj y Alberto se ofreció a dejarme el suyo. Parece que me dio alas!!

Foto: Compadres Castroviejo, Sanchis y Contador toman chocolate en Valkemburg (@albertocontador)

11. Aunque representó a España en Pekin en 2008, este año el equipo femenino de España no pudo participar en los Juegos Olímpicos de Londres. ¿Esto ha sido una desilusión?

Desde el año pasado sabía que era muy difícil estar en Londres. La federación no tenía dinero para ir a las carreras a coger puntos y así era muy difícil clasificarse. Fue una desilusión, pero hay que seguir luchando.

12. ¿Cuáles son sus planes en bici para el futuro inmediato? ¿y a largo plazo?

Por ahora terminar la temporada lo mejor posible, centrada en el Mundial de Valkemburg y a largo plazo aún no lo tengo pensado, pero supongo que seguir como hasta ahora.

13. Y ahora, nos gustaría hacerle una pregunta frivola: Cuando va a la playa, ¿se preocupa de las marcas que el equipaje ciclístico le hace en su cuerpo? ¿En qué manera las ciclistas femeninas juegan con las marcas del bronceado?

La verdad es que no voy mucho a la playa, en verano estoy siempre entrenando y descansando y me queda poco tiempo para ir a la playa, pero cuando voy no me preocupan las marcas de bronceado, al que no le guste que no mire!!



El podio de los Campeonatos de España 2012 (El Pedal de Frodo)

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20th ANNIVERSARY OF SPONSOR SAXO BANK

September 22, 2012 - Danish bank releases video to celebrate, Contador and other riders offer best wishes

CONTADOR DISAPPOINTED, BUT "THAT'S THAT"

September 19, 2012 - Disappointment over time trial loss is secondary to shock over tragic death of young Euskaltel rider

Alberto Contador was disappointed to finish only 9th in the Worlds ITT, but most riders would be happy to have such a day (Reuters)

Alberto Contador finished ninth in today’s elite men’s time trial at the Valkenburg World Championships, a race that was won by Tony Martin in a repeat of his victory last year. “It was a really hard time trial,” said Contador after finishing the race, during which he was overtaken by the German.

“It was really hard to get into rhythm at the beginning, and then again, when I saw that the car wasn’t behind me and that Tony Martin was closing in. Psychologically, when somebody laps you, it’s quite hard to pull yourself together, even though I knew that he was going to be very strong here,” said Alberto.

“From that moment, I committed to maintaining the distance until the finish, because when he caught me, I saw that I had no options for a medal,” said Contador. “I’m happy to have tried, but this was a different time trial, in which there was no exhaustion from the days before, like in a stage race. But I tried, and that’s that.”

Alberto said that he didn’t know if he was paying for the effort of the Vuelta: “You never know that. Evidently, when you’re giving everything day after day, you have a higher level of exhaustion, but that’s not to take credit away from anybody. There were great specialists here, and there are no words to describe Tony Martin.” “I’m happy, but I’m also disappointed, because it’s very difficult with so many specialists.

"What I’m experiencing is a state of shock,” said Contador, “because they just told me there’s been a tragedy involving Victor Cabedo. I just can’t believe it. He was a very young cyclist, whom I knew, and it’s just terrible. I am so very sorry. I want to send all my support and solidarity to his family, to his friends and to his team, who must be devastated by this misfortune.”

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

PLAYBOOK:

Alberto was off the pace at the first intermediate check, and given the nature of the course, it was unlikely that he would be able to make up the difference. The hour-long technical course, the changeable weather and a headwind made mischief. Contador survived it all, maintained a resptectable distance to Martin, and finished 9th, not a bad result for a bad day.

Italian Marco Pinotti was the living proof of the dangers of a technical course in fickle weather. Rounding a sharp bend, he slid, toppled and, with one quick pop, broke his collarbone.

Victor Cabedo, the young Euskaltel-Euskadi rider who died today, was hit by a car while training. He was 23.

RESULTS: Contador in 2012 Worlds ITT, 9th (2:30 Tony Martin - 58:38:80)

LEADERBOARD: 1 Tony Martin (58:38:80), 2 Taylor Phinney (00:00:05:37),3 Vasil Kiryienka (00:01:44:99)

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CONTADOR ON WORLDS TIME TRIAL

September 18, 2012 - A medal's the goal, but Alberto says, “After the effort of the Vuelta, recuperating has not come easy”

Alberto Contador did his last training session before the World Championship time trial in Valkenburg today, accompanied by fellow Spanish time trialist, Jonathan Castroviejo. Contador was optimistic about his form and about the parcours for the race, where he hopes to be in contention for a medal. “Today my legs felt looser, because after the effort of the Vuelta a España, recovery has not come easy, especially muscularly,” said Contador.

“After the Vuelta, everything has gone well, resting as much as possible, because this Vuelta was very demanding and the body pays for it. Today, however, I did feel pretty good on the bike, quite a bit more comfortable,” Contador explained. “I’ve already gone a fairly long time without riding the time trial bike, even though this week I rode it twice, but since the Pontevedra time trial I haven’t spent time much time with it, and the body resists the position. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”

Do you feel better than you thought?
No, that’s an unknown, I won’t know what my form is like until tomorrow when I push myself. Basically, since the Vuelta I’ve only rested, and now we’ll have to see how I respond. For me, it’s an unknown how I’m going to do in an isolated time trial, without it being within a stage race. I’ve only done a crono like this a few times in my career, and it’s completely different.

Do you like the route?
Yes, yesterday I saw it in the car, because in the morning we didn’t get a good look, and it has some bergs that ought to work out well for me, because you have to change pace and shift from the big ring. Those are zones that benefit me over the specialists. It looks like there’ll be a headwind, and it’s a route for going like gangbusters and moving a lot of power. When it goes up it’s not as bad for me as when it’s flat, but it’s a good route for power riders, like Tony Martin.

You’ll leave between Tony Martin and Taylor Phinney. Are you happy with your position?
Yes, at the end I’ll have all the references except Tony Martin’s, and that’s important, although in this race it’ll be a little different because it’s very demanding and it could make some people fall apart at the end. It will be a crono for focusing on yourself.

Being realistic, are you thinking about a medal?
I think that you’ve always got to think about that, even though I’m also aware that there are great specialists and I know that it’s difficult. But if I don’t think about that goal, it’s impossible to achieve it. I’m going with that goal. There’s a lot of talk about Wiggins and Cancellara not being here, but there are others, like Tony Martin, Kessiakoff, Phinney, Van Garderen and Chavanel. There are lots of riders, but I’m singling out Tony Martin above all the others, on his own merit. I’m there, one of a group fighting for the medals.

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

VUELTA 2012: CHIVALROUS ACT EXPLAINED

September 10, 2012 - Contador: “My bow to Purito and Valverde was one of admiration”

Alberto Contador bows to rival Purito Rodríguez in admiration on final Vuelta podium (MARCA)

Contador explains on Spanish TV that he had to have faith to triumph in the Vuelta: “It’s almost impossible to win a race like that if you don’t think that you’re going to do it. The Vuelta has gone to a new level.”

AS.COM | The winner of the Vuelta Ciclista a España, Alberto Contador, said today that “it’s almost impossible” to win his nation’s grand tour “if you think you’re not going to win it” and underscored the level of difficulty of this year’s edition, in which he battled Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Purito Rodríguez (Katusha) for the maillot rojo.

“It’s been special, mainly due to the spectacle that we all created. We were swapping jerseys constantly. The Vuelta has gone to a new level,” said Alberto Contador on the morning television program “Los Desayunos de Televisión Española.”

Contador, who was paid tribute by the province of Madrid and by his hometown, Pinto, said that he did indeed see himself as victor when asked if he would be able to win this Vuelta. “If you think you’re not going to win it, it’s almost impossible to win it. When I attacked at 50 kilometers from the finish line (on Fuente Dé), I had two options, victory or total disaster, but if I wanted to win, I had to attack. When I realized that, I attacked,” he recounted.

The multi-Tour winner was demonstrative about his admiration for his Vuelta rivals. “The bow that I made to Valverde and Joaquim on the podium comes from the admiration that I have for the two of them and was acknowledgement of the tremendous race that they did. The Vuelta a España was thrilling thanks to everyone, and I’m super-proud to be accompanied by them,” he said.

About the doping scandals that continue to plague the world of cycling, the winner of the 2012 Vuelta said that the effort required by cycling “is unlike any other sport.” “Everyone is subject to many controls. The direction that has been taken is very good and everything is going to change radically,” he added.

And finally, concerning the image of Spanish sport, the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank leader thinks that admiration is due to Spanish cyclists, but not envy. After victory in the Vuelta, Alberto Contador goal now is the World Championships in Valkenburg, Netherlands (September 15-23), particularly the time trial.

"THIS VICTORY IS ALSO YOURS"

September 10, 2012 - A message from Alberto Contador to his supporters, via Tour de Flex

"To those who didn´t doubt... To those who had confidence in me... To those who got me up out of bed... To all of you.. This victory is also yours."

ALBERTO CONTADOR WINS VUELTA A ESPAÑA 2012!

September 9, 2012 - El chico de Pinto - with grace, dignity and panache - notches seventh career grand tour victory

Alberto Contador, overall winner, 2012 Vuelta a España (AFP)

Stage 21, September 9: Cercedilla-Madrid, 111.9 km

Alberto Contador crossed the finish line triumphantly in Madrid today, posting up to celebrate his seventh career grand tour victory. He completed the most difficult Vuelta a España route in recent memory in just under 85 cumulative hours, more than 3,300 kilometers and 8 mountaintop finishes, entirely in the north of Spain.

Contador, one of history's five Triple Crown winners, is now one of only two riders, after Bernard Hinault, to win all three grand tours more than once. His name is added to the list of only 8 other multi-Vuelta winners: Gustaaf Deloor, Julián Berrendero, José Manuel Fuente, Hinault, Tony Rominger, Alex Zulle, Roberto Heras and Denis Menchov.

Alberto won by a margin of 1:16 over Alejandro Valverde and 1:37 over Joaquim Rodríguez. The three brilliant Spanish riders animated the race from the very beginning, when Valverde´s Movistar team was strongest in the team time trial in Pamplona. The peloton had already reached the mountains by Stage 3, and Valverde added strength to strength immediately by winning on Arrate. Purito Rodríguez took the red jersey from him the next day at Valdezcaray after the Murican was left behind in a crash, and thanks to a route that was often ideally suited to him, Purito remained in the leadership for many days.

Contador took time back with a strong time trial performance in Pontevedra, Stage 11, but Purito impressed everyone by minimizing his losses and keeping the jersey by a whisker. Alberto looked sure to unseat the Catalonian rider during a mammoth weekend in Asturias, but Rodríguez stayed strong, winning again on the Puerto de Ancares, and resisting repeated volleys of spectacular attacks by Alberto on the road to Lagos de Covadonga and in the unbelievable queen stage to Cuitu Negru.

By the second rest day, opportunities to win the Vuelta were dwindling. Only two options remained: Stage 17 to Fuente Dé and the severe climb to Bola del Mundo in the penultimate stage. Contador did not wait for Bola del Mundo. Instead, the Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank team was skillfully deployed en route to Fuente Dé, and Contador put in the effort of a lifetime, attacking the peloton at 50 kilometers from the finish line and bridging to allies positioned ahead. He rode to the finish line solo, and wore the maillot rojo at the end of the day.

Valverde and Rodríguez were strong and savvy. They continued to trade punches and threaten Contador. When Purito attacked decisively on the hors categorie Bola del Mundo, the day before Madrid, Contador could only respond by riding tempo, but knew, from study and reconnaissance, that the Katusha rider would not be able to gain enough time on the slopes to keep him from a second overall Vuelta a España triumph.

And so the Vuelta was won. Alberto sailed across the finish line in Madrid today, flanked by Noval and Hernández, posting up with seven fingers raised, one for each of his grand tour victories: Tour 2007, Giro 2008, Vuelta 2008, Tour 2009, Tour 2010, Giro 2011, and finally this unforgettable Vuelta Ciclista a España.

With an invitation to his team to join him on the final podium, a chivalrous bow to Purito and one to Valverde, the anthem (the correct one, this time), and the Cava, Alberto Contador put the final flourish on his magnificent Vuelta, the best grand tour in many years.

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 21, 54th (s.t. Degenkolb - 2:44:57). Contador in GC, 1st (84:59:49). Special prize: Most Combative

LEADERBOARD: 1 Contador (84:59:49), 2 Valverde (1:16), 3 Rodríguez (1:37), 4 Froome (10:16), 5 Moreno (11:29), 6 Gesink (12:23), 7 Talansky (13:28), 8 Ten Dam (13:41), 9 Antón (14:01), 10 Intxausti (16:13)

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Alberto Contador, Alejandro Valverde and Joaquim Rodríguez, the first all-Spanish Vuelta podium since 2004 (AFP)









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QUOTES

Voices at La Vuelta

Bjarne Riis, when asked if he ever doubted that Contador was going to win:
"Yes .. But that is irrelevant, because we knew we had to continue to fight to the end, and when you do it so successfully also."

Purito Rodriguez, reflections on Stage 17:
"Saxo Bank had a perfect tactic, but in order for them to succeed, I had to fail somewhere. I made mistakes, no doubt about it, and paid for them. I don't know if it was fate but it wasn't my day since the stage start and in the end I paid the consequences.

"It was very hard to see my teammates in the hotel, crying becaue we had lost it all. It was a big blow but in cycling you have to accept it rapidly and move on to the other objectives that are still left."

Andrew Talansky (Garmin) to VeloNews on Stage 17 to Fuente Dé:
"It was an insane day. Garmin was helping contribute because we missed having a rider in the breakaway. We made a few tactical errors that day. It was just a hard day. After five minutes of easy riding, it just blew up.

"What Contador did that day shows that arguably he’s the best stage racer in the world. He saw a situation that he never planned and took complete advantage of it. When he went, he was just blowing the peloton into pieces. He attacked like he was shot out of a cannon. There was nothing anyone could do."

Talansky about riding with Contador:
"I have never done a race with him before. It was pretty cool to see. He commands a lot of respect in the bunch.

"It’s been interesting this season, because I’ve raced with Wiggins this year as well. When Wiggins is on the bike, he looks intimidating. He looks like a metronome, he’s so calm and in control. That’s how he won the Tour.

"With Alberto, you can see the way he rides with such passion. The way he attacks is like no one else. He’s got an instinct for the race. He’s a real bike racer. It’s been pretty cool to see him, Valverde, Rodríguez. Purito had one bad day at a bad time, but he rode an incredible Vuelta."

Purito Rodríguez, after Stage 17:
“You can never tell what a guy like Alberto is going to do. Nobody expected anything, it was spectacular. He won con dos cojones. You have to admit it.”

Purito Rodríguez, after Stage 15:
"Alberto nearly killed me."

Purito Rodríguez, after the Stage 11 time trial:
"Having Contador at one second in the general is like having the devil at your door. This is an agonizing Vuelta and it's possible that things could turn around completely at any moment."

RACE ATLAS

La Vuelta 2012

GO TO RACE ATLAS for background information on all the stages of La Vuelta a España

CONTADOR CLINCHES VUELTA TRIUMPH

September 8, 2012 - Alberto holds on to top of GC leaderboard after harrowing attack by Purito on Bola del Mundo. He will ride to Madrid in red tomorrow!

The happiest we have seen Alberto Contador in many months, on the podium at Bola del Mundo (AS.com)

Stage 20, September 8: La Faisanera Golf. Segovia 21-Bola del Mundo, 169.5 km

Alberto Contador held on to survive a vicious attack by Purito Rodriguez on the brutal slopes of the Bola del Mundo today, and will ride to Madrid in the maillot rojo tomorrow.

Alberto Contador, after the stage: “Maybe I've won the race through bravery, refusing to conform and because of the way I approach racing, too. Many times people have said Contador was the big favorite but I knew how hard it would be.

"I've won this Vuelta after a long time away from racing and there were moments when I thought it was difficult. But as I said on the second rest day, I believed I could do it. If I hadn't believed in my chances, then I'd have just stuck with my second place. And I wouldn't have attacked at Fuente Dé.

"When Joaquin attacked on the Bola del Mundo I knew the differences would be minimal because I've studied the results from 2010.

"I really enjoyed this stage, so many people were out there supporting me and the other riders, and I will always remember it. I still can't believe I've won it, to tell the truth. I think it's been a very beautiful, well-fought Vuelta and one which is a success for cycling in general.”

Bradley McGee, Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank directeur sportif: “Once again, the team did a fantastic job out there and put Alberto in a perfect position before the finale where he had a margin that allowed him not to go too deep and thereby risk the whole race. We never planned to take the stage win today. The major concern was obviously Valverde and Rodriguez and Alberto remained cool throughout the stage. Of course, we haven't won just yet. There's still one more stage to go but there should be no danger. We just have to stay out of trouble and maybe even enjoy the parade to Madrid wearing the red leader's jersey."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 20, 12th (4:15 Menchov - 4:48:48). Contador in GC, 1st (82:14:52).

LEADERBOARD: 1 Contador (82:14:52), 2 Valverde (1:16), 3 Rodríguez (1:37), 4 Froome (10:16), 5 Moreno (11:29), 6 Gesink (12:23), 7 Talansky (13:28), 8 Ten Dam (13:41), 9 Antón (14:01), 10 Intxausti (16:13)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - VUELTA A ESPAÑA WEBSITE -

PHOTO DAYBOOK - RACE ATLAS

STAGE 20 VIDEO (RTVE) - VIDEO: FINAL 7 KM (RTVE) - VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS (RTVE)

POST-STAGE VIDEO (RTVE) -

See VUELTA RACE WATCH for reports, results, news, photos and videos

BLOG: LA BOLA DEL MUNDO

September 8, 2012 - El coletazo final del Gran Dragón

Hoy, penúltima etapa de la Vuelta a España 2012, el pelotón casi ha llegado al fin del recorrido más exigente de las últimas generaciones.

Han sido ocho altos superados por míticos héroes que han llegado a las cumbres en las alas difíciles del esfuerzo y la valentía del guerrero que lucha infatigable en medio de la adversidad y de la multitud.

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BLOG: RAÍCES CELTAS EN LA VUELTA 2012

September 6, 2012

Hasta ahora, el drama de La Vuelta a España 2012 se ha llevado a cabo en un rincón apartado de la España del noroeste. Alberto Contador y Purito Rodríguez, dos cuélebres del ciclismo, eligieron un lugar muy alejado del mundo de los turistas para librar su encarnizada batalla particular. Nuestra banda de sonido para estas etapas no ha sido el flamenco, y no hemos visto, por ejemplo, las imágenes del encierro de Pamplona, tomadas desde el helicóptero. ¿Por qué? Leer más

SUICIDE MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

September 5, 2012 - Kamikaze Contador's lethal strike takes out Purito, captures maillot rojo

Alberto Contador won the leader's jersey by risking everything (AC press room)

SAXO BANK-TINKOFF BANK LEADER TRIUMPHS IN HISTORIC STAGE

Stage 17, September 5: Santander-Fuente Dé, 187.3

Alberto Contador accomplished his most difficult feat to date today in Stage 17 of the Vuelta a España, when he launched a solo attack that caught everyone by surprise. The kamikaze move was made at 50 kilometers before the finish, and the result was an epic ride, a legendary cycling adventure, and one of the most beautiful victories of Alberto´s career. “I took every risk. Many people would say that I was going from too far away, but I knew that I had to try it. I’m not at my best right now,” explained Contador, “but I was just hugely motivated and being second is fine, but you always have to try to win. Today we’ve taken an important step.”

Alberto wanted to dedicate the stage win “to all the people who have been there all this time, to my family, to my wife, to my friends and to all the fans who have accompanied us in this Vuelta.” He also acknowledged that this has been one of the best victories of his career. “This has been really important. Not many people bet on me for the overall win, and even though I haven’t won it yet, we’ve taken an important step. And I think there’s something else that we should celebrate, that the Vuelta a España is impressive and is returning to the level it once had.”

“It was pure madness,” Contador said, “but it was also because my strength was already stretched a bit thin. And I want to thank my team,” he added, “all my teammates, Nicky, Toso, Benja, Paulinho, Bruno, Dani, Rafal and Jesús; and all the staff, who have supported me to the max. Thanks to them, I’m here now.”

About the day’s action, Alberto admitted that it had been “a bit kamikaze. First we climbed Ozalba and I saw that people were weakening. And then on the Collado de la Hoz, a group with three of my teammates in it was going ahead and I told them through the radio to go ‘full gas’, then I took off for good, like on Alpe D’Huez in the 2011 Tour. Then it was just a question of rowing to the finish.”

But the strategy hadn’t been thought out in advance. “When I jumped, I had thought about trying in the final three kilometers, but when I attacked and I had a devil on one shoulder who told me ‘Attack!’ and an angel on the other, who told me to be careful...but I decided to attack,” said Alberto, who also gave special thanks “to the job done by Tiralongo, who is a great, great friend and has lent me a wonderful hand.”

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

PLAYBOOK:

Contador attacked the peloton at the foot of the Collado de Hoz, a 2nd-category climb that peaked at kilometer 138. No one expected the move, least of all Katusha and race leader Purito Rodríguez.

Saxo-Tinkoff had positioned men in the escape to be ready to help Contador in an attack later in the stage. Now, however, he accelerated and joined teammates Hernández and Paulinho in a group of 19 riders. This group also contained point men for Purito, Valverde and Froome, who remained behind in the peloton. A former teammate, Paulo Tiralongo of Astana – whose triumph with help from Contador at Macugnaga in Giro 2011 will never be forgotten - was also in this group.

With newly found strength in numbers, Contador motored ahead. He stretched the gap between himself and Purito and the other favorites, arriving third at the KOM point on the Collado de Hoz. By 35 km to go, the group had shrunken to thirteen men, retaining Paulinho and Tiralongo.

Contador went ahead of the escape to take the bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint at Potes, 23 km from the summit of Fuente Dé, the final climb. Next, he dropped the escape group with about 18 km remaining. Pulled by Astana’s Tiralongo (who testified for Alberto at CAS), his gap steadily widened. Meanwhile, back in the red jersey group, several Saxo-Tinkoff riders played policeman over the other favorites.

With 12 km to go, it was Valverde who delivered the next punch to Purito who, floundering, was already trailing Contador by 2:25. The 2009 Vuelta winner latched on to Movistar teammates Quintana and Intxausti, and began a steady march to overtake Contador. By this time, Tiralongo was spent and Alberto was on a solo mission, uphill all the way, to claim the win, the bonifications and the leadership. Tension mounted as telltale signs of fatigue started to show in his posture and face.

Valverde marched on, menacingly, approaching to within 15 seconds of Contador before his last gregario exploded from effort. The Murcian continued to gain time, but was unable to maintain enough pace to foil the Saxo-Tinkoff leader.

Contador crossed the line with only 6" to spare. He roared and raised his arms in the salute of a lifetime, a perfect expression of triumph over the hard and cruel world of a cyclist.

He was mobbed by reporters immediately. Fighting back tears of joy, he said, “I attacked by instinct. I hadn’t planned it. I think that this is a day that will live in memory.” Contador continued a description that he was destined to recount many times, “It was a bit of a suicide mission, to tell the truth. I had thought about trying at three kilometers to go. When I attacked, the devil on my shoulder said ‘Attack!’ and the angel said ‘Conserve, that’s madness, you’re going to overdo it!’ I preferred to risk it,” he said with emotion.

Then, corralled by his press man/body guard, Alberto fell into the embrace of his mechanic, Faustino Muñoz. Shortly afterward, he exchanged big hugs with his mother and sister, who were waiting near the podium.

“It was simply an amazing performance by the entire team and it was part of the plan from the start of the stage," said a delighted Bradley McGee, Saxo-Tinkoff DS. "On the two first climbs, Jesús Hernández, Bruno Pires and Sergio Paulinho jumped away from the pack and Katusha seemed stunned and then Alberto simply bridged the gap alone to his teammates and continued to the final climb where he put in an unforgettably powerful effort to stay in front and not only take the jersey but put the icing on the cake by taking the stage win as well."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 17, 1st (4:29:20). Contador in GC, 1st (68:07:54)

LEADERBOARD: 1 Contador (68:07:54), 2 Valverde (1:52), 3 Rodríguez (2:28), 4 Froome (9:40), 5 Moreno (11:36), 6 Gesink (12:06), 7 Ten Dam (12:55), 8 Talansky (13:06), 9 Antón (13:49), 10 Intxausti (14:10)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - VUELTA A ESPAÑA WEBSITE

AUDIO COMMENTS - PALMARES - PHOTO DAYBOOK - RACE ATLAS

STAGE 17 VIDEO (RTVE) - POST-STAGE INTERVIEW (RTVE)

HIGHLIGHTS (RTVE) - MORE PHOTOS



The Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank team celebrate after Contador's epic ride to Fuente Dé. Pictured, left to right: Matteo Tosatto, Nicki Sorensen, Rafal Majka, Benjamín Noval, Dani Navarro, Jesús Hernández, Alberto Contador, Bruno Pires, Sergio Paulinho (AC press room)







See VUELTA RACE WATCH for reports, results, news, photos and videos

CALL ME MAYBE GOES VUELTA VIRAL

Orica-GreenEDGE phone home from Spain with music video

BLOG: SEGUNDO ACTO DE LA VUELTA A ESPAÑA

27 de agosto, 2012 - La trama se complica

  El primer acto de una magnífica Vuelta a España concluyó el pasado domingo, cuando Philippe Gilbert cruzó la meta en Barcelona. La lucha entre Gilbert y Purito Rodríguez fue el perfecto fin de una semana llena de escenas emocionantes que, después de todo, permitieron a los especialistas de las clásicas protagonizar.

Ahora hay un nuevo plató. Desde el enorme centro cultural de Barcelona, La Vuelta ha cruzado España y ha llegado en alas de Iberia a Galicia, a Finisterre, el fin de la tierra. El entorno del acto segundo se ubica entre las costas rocosas, misteriosos y sagrados lugares, y las montañas encantadas de la España celta. Aquí es donde se desarrollará la trama, y donde el verdadero protagonista nos demostrará su valía. Leer más

BLOG: VUELTA A ESPAÑA ACT II, THE PLOT THICKENS

August 27, 2012 - Vuelta Epic in Galicia, land of quests

Act I of a magnificent Vuelta a España ended on Sunday when Philippe Gilbert reached the finish line in Barcelona. The fight between Gilbert and Purito Rodríguez was the perfect finale for a week of dynamic scenes that, in the end, allowed the classics specialists to take center stage.

Now the stage is reset. From the metropolis of Barcelona, La Vuelta has crossed Spain and arrived in Galicia, at Finisterre, the end of the earth. The setting for Act II is the rocky coasts, mysterious holy places, and haunted mountains of Celtic Spain. This is where the plot will develop, and where the ultimate hero will reveal himself. Read more

BLOG: LA VIRGEN DE ARRATE

26 de agosto, 2012 - La Señora que de tres zancadas se plantó en Arrate

En la cima de Arrate, la mítica subida del País Vasco, que sirvió como meta de la tercera etapa de la Vuelta el pasado lunes, los ciclistas volvieron a encontrarse con otro nuevo santuario. Es el segundo de los dos que hay en el recorrido del día. Tras el Santuario de la Virgen de Dorleta, patrona de los ciclistas, se encontraron con el de la Virgen de Arrate.

La patrona de los ciclistas fue seleccionada por un comité, y fue ratificada por la Federación Española de Ciclismo, después de muchos años de burocracia, y cuando ya la Iglesia la había reconocido como tal. La historia de la Virgen de Arrate es muy diferente. Leer más

ROZ JONES CAPTURES CONTADOR TRIUMPH AT FUENTE DÉ

September 6, 2012 - Crack young British photographer was there to get the shots of a lifetime

Many thanks to Roz Jones for sharing these fantastic photos of a historic moment! More at PHOTO DAYBOOK

GO TO ROZ JONES PHOTO STREAM and ON THE ROAD CYCLING TOURS