www.albertocontadornotebook.info - Alberto Contador Fans Notebook



ANOTHER DAY FOR THE SPRINTERS

March 25, 2013 - A rainy day and another sprint win by Mezgec before tomorrow's summit finish


Stage 2, March 25: Mataro - Girona, 168 km

Alberto Contador arrived safely at the finish line in Girona today in Stage 2 of the Volta a Catalunya. During the stage, Tinkoff-Saxo kept to the front of the peloton for safety's sake on the wet and slippery roads.

Slovenian Luka Mezgec of Giant-Shimano made it two in a row with another bunch sprint win.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Tinkoff-Saxo director, about tomorrow's first summit finish: “Tinkoff-Saxo will decide on the team’s podium ambitions when the riders hit the last climb to Molina. There is no pressure on Alberto tomorrow. He did a fantastic job in Tirreno, and he doesn’t have to push himself too much at this point in the season. For sure, tomorrow will be interesting, but it’s also very unpredictable because of bad weather. And also shape-wise, nobody knows how the competitors are feeling, so we’ll wait and see until the climb."

"Alberto, Froome, Purito, Quintana are here. It’s the top 4 from the Tour last year. And many others will be in the fight for the win as well. If the favorites feel good and want to challenge each other, it could be an amazing stage."

About today's stage:

"We avoided the crashes and had no problems on today’s stage. If you’re active in the front, of course you use more energy than in the middle of the peloton but you stay safe and if the peloton splits you don’t lose time. When the captain’s name is Alberto Contador and the team is among the favorites to the overall win, you don’t want to fool around. So we take charge and stay safe."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 2, 28th (0:03 Mezgec - ). Contador in GC, 21st (0:23 Mezgec - 8:06:42)

TOP FIve: 1 Mezgec, 2 R. Ferrari (0:14), 3 Howard (0:14), 4 Alaphilippe (0:16), 5 Ratto (0:16)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS


CONTADOR: INTERVIEW BEFORE CATALUNYA

March 24, 2014 - Alberto: “Sometimes the training sessions are harder than the races”


MARCA | by Fernando Llamas | Alberto Contador is competing in the first stage of the Volta a Catalunya scarcely six days after finishing Tirreno-Adriatico, where he won two stages, the second after an attack and solo ride that toppled the peloton in Abruzzo. After taking the trident back home, his body informed him, logically: “Alberto, I need rest.”

After five days of easy recovery work, he puts his shoulder to the grindstone again, facing Chris Froome, Purito Rodríguez, Nairo Quintana, Rigoberto Uran, Carlos Betancur, Chris Horner, Samuel Sánchez and many other world-class riders, in terms of both form and desire.

Cappuccino training Do you suffer more as a result of Guardiagrele or a hard workout?
I’m a rider who likes to train. I know that the harder you train, the less you suffer in competition. In that sense, as I’ve said many times, I have to tread lightly because I can even overtrain to the point of exhaustion, with many, many vertical meters... It’s true, the training sessions are often harder than the race.

Photo: Cappuccino training (@albertocontador)

How do you recover from an effort like that? What do you feel on Monday morning?
Whether in front or behind, I think that we all ended up affected that day because the stage was very demanding. You get up the next day and you feel the effort in your legs, but the good thing is that we all got up alike. Maybe at least some riders were able to take it easier than I could on that day. But all the efforts add up. The ability to recover makes a difference that puts some riders at an advantage over others.

But you did a 32-kilometer mountain time trial. Tremendous. The others rode in a bunch, and slower.
It’s true that the exhaustion that day was enormous. It wouldn’t have been the same if I’d waited for the final wall. That’s obvious. It’s true that since finishing Tirreno, the only thing I’ve done is rest and do easy rides, because the body… Uff! I thought that I would’ve finished better. On the next day I didn’t seem very tired, but afterwards my body told me that it was indeed very fatigued and that I basically had to rest until Catalunya.

The slump happens when you finish the race?
When you get home, you put competition on the back burner and tell yourself that the body needs a break. Maybe it’s psychological, too.

So, on days like this, it’s “cappuccino training.” (Contador tweeted a photo from in a café in Lugano along with these two words on the day after wrapping up Tirreno-Adriatico, on Wednesday, March 19.)
Yes. That’s it, I did light training solely to avoid retaining fluids, and not to go as hard as possible on the bicycle. On Sunday, a couple of easy hours in Catalunya and to see the last little hill in the first stage. And, now, competition in order to get back into rhythm and to fight to win knowing that there are very important rivals here.


CONTADOR SAFE AFTER STAGE 1 OF LA VOLTA

March 24, 2014 - Bunch sprint goes to Slovenian from Giant-Shimano


La Volta 2014, Stage 1

Alberto Contador at the start line of La Volta Stage 1 (EFE)

Stage 1, March 24: Calella - Calella, 169.7 km

Alberto Contador finished with the pack in Stage 1 of the 94th edition of the Volta a Catalunya, where he arrived in the same time as sprint winner, Luka Mezgec. All of the GC men survived an active stage which included three categorized climbs and a bunch sprint. Bonifications apply in Catalunya, therefore Contador trails the race leader by 10 seconds.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Tinkoff-Saxo DS: “Everything went according to plan. It was obviously a day for the sprinters and our main goal was to protect Alberto and keep him out of trouble and the boys succeeded in doing so. We have a good mix of experienced and young riders and everyone did a perfect job. Tomorrow’s stage is somewhat similar and I don’t any GC riders make any sudden moves."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 1, 25th (s.t. Mezgec - 4:09:13). Contador in GC, 27th (0:10 Mezgec - 4:09:03)

TOP THREE: 1 Mezgec, 2 Howard (0:04), 3 Alaphilippe (0:06)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS


NEXT RACE: VOLTA A CATALUNYA (MARCH 23-30)

March 23, 2014 - Starting Monday, Alberto Contador and team face multiple climbs every day, but no time trial


pre-race training for La Volta 2014

Alberto Contador and his teammates train near Calella for the start of the Volta a Catalunya tomorrow (AC press room)

Alberto Contador starts his third stage race of the 2014 season – the Volta a Catalunya – tomorrow, where he arrives in competitive condition. “My state of form in Tirreno was good and I hope to be able to recover well during the upcoming days. I felt pretty fatigued at home. I finished Tirreno-Adriatico more tired than I thought, because the stages were very long and grueling, but, I hope, to feel well, even if it’s a bit of an effort to get started.” This morning he spent a couple of hours training in the surroundings of Calella and was able to enjoy the good weather.

About the parcours of this year’s Volta, he singles out “Stages 3 and 4, especially the latter, with the finish at Walter 2000, but it will be a very open race, since there are bonifications every day, there are no flat stages and there will be a lot of action by the whole peloton.”

The lack of a time trial could work to his advantage or not, says Alberto, taken in the context of his various opponents. “You never know. Sometimes, when you’re up against a pure climber, it benefits you, and when you’re up against a rider who’s very strong against the clock, it’s not good. In the end, you have to take the route, which is what it is, and adapt to it.”

Tinkoff-Saxo has suffered the eleventh-hour loss of Rafal Majka, for whom Jesper Hansen will fill in. In spite of the personnel change, Contador is happy with his teammates here and has full confidence in them. “We have a young but very motivated team and I’m sure that they will respond perfectly,” he concluded.

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

Tinkoff-Saxo's directeur sportif, Philippe Mauduit, had this to say about the parcours of La Volta and Contador's chances: “As you know it’s never easy to win such race. The race level will be at the highest and the profile of the race pretty hard. In the past few years the first two stages were offering a surprising scenario so we have to be ready and never forget that everything can happen.

"After those first two stages, we enter mountain terrain where I expect a big fight between the GC riders. We will have to do our best to support Alberto and we have the team to do so. Of course after Tirreno everybody expects Alberto doing another spectacular show but we have to bear in mind that he did some thing incredibly outstanding in Tirreno and it's really difficult to produce such performance at that level of competition. So we will take it day by day and the team will do their best to give him the support he deserves."


TIRRENO VICTORY "VERY SPECIAL" TO CONTADOR

March 19, 2014 - Alberto: Trident trophy "will have a special place in my living room”


2014 Tirreno-Adriatico MARCA | This interview by Chema Bermejo was published in Spanish yesterday after the final stage of Tirreno-Adriatico.

How do you rate this win?
For me, it’s a very important victory. I’m very happy with my performance, with the results and with the way that I won it. Everyone dreams of getting a victory like the one I got at Guardiagrele. I’ve already had the opportunity to see it on video and the truth is, it’s a stage that I’ll always remember.

Photo, right: MARCA

It comes with a lovely trophy.
Yes. It’s one of a kind. It will have a very special place in the living room of my house, not only because it’s lovely, but because it’s been a very special victory. Attacking at 30 kilometers from the finish and winning is complicated, normally you don’t have the legs to pull it off. It’s been one of the three or four happiest days of my career.”

You made an impressive showing?
I’ve gotten close to my best level and now it’s time to keep working every time to improve. This victory has given me a lot of motivation for the Volta a Catalunya.

Froome will be there.
Froome and many other champions. It’s very good for cycling that the you can see the best riders in as many races as possible, that they don’t just meet in the Tour.

When will we see you in the Giro d’Italia?
It’s too soon to talk about that. For this season, my calendar is focused on the Tour and the Vuelta. Maybe next year. What I can say is that in Italy I feel at home. It’s been incredible to see how many people shout my name. That makes everything simpler.

After his victory, Alberto Contador is third in the World Tour ranking with 112 points, with Colombian Carlos Alberto Betancur leading and Australian Simon Gerrans second with 114 points.


CONTADOR IS KING OF THE TWO SEAS

March 18, 2014 - Alberto Contador is awarded the Golden Trident as he takes his first stage race win of 2014


King of the Two Seas

Alberto Contador wields the golden trident as overall champion of Tirreno-Adriatico (La Presse)

Stage 7, Tuesday, March 18: San Benedetto del Tronto, 9,1 km (ITT)

BICICICLISMO | Alberto Contador was crowned king of the Two Seas today as he conquered Tirreno-Adriatico for the first time in his career. Contador finished the final stage, an individual time trial, in 29th place. He sealed the general classification with more than two minutes on his closest rivals following victorious displays at Selvarontonda and, even more memorable, Guardiagrele, where he attacked from more than 30 kilometers from the line.

The Tinkoff-Saxo leader had expected a tighter race for the overall prize: “I came to this race eager to win. I wasn’t happy in Arezzo when I lost six seconds to Sagan and Kwiatkowski because I thought that those seconds could be decisive. But in the end I won by a question of minutes, so I’m very happy.”

The solo attack at Guardiagrele: “I wanted to do something different. In the morning, in the bus, I told myself that if I could go it alone, I could make it all the way to the finish line. It wasn’t in my plans to arrive in an escape group, of course, but I was motivated by the morning.”

“The public turned out in droves for Tirreno-Adriatico. In the end, people want to see something different: it’s what we all want in cycling. It’s not easy, and sometimes the opportunity doesn’t arise, or you don’t have the legs. But I was very happy on the next day, when I got my first win in a summit-finish stage, and, at Guardiagrele, I think that I was three or four times happier.”

PLAYBOOK

The final time trial, a 9.1-km flat ride along the Adriatic coast, was won by Adriano Malori. Quintana, in second place overall, out-performed Contador and picked up three seconds. Tinkoff-Saxo's Roman Kreuziger, who had ridden as Contador's super-domestique all week, made a push to unseat Quintana, and therefore also outrode his team leader. Contador, however, had a cushion of more than two minutes in the GC, and after two grueling stage wins on the weekend, there was no reason not to relax and enjoy the final ITT.

The Tirreno-Adriatico trophy absolutely reeks of style, and is hands-down the coolest prize in cycling. A trident for the Roman and Greek gods of the sea - Neptune of the Tyrhennian, Poseidon of the Adriatic - and a devil's pitchfork for a rider on fire, may it represent the torture that Contador will put to his rivals in future races if he continues to ride like this.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Tinkoff-Saxo sport director: - The boys rode with great self-belief and confidence throughout the entire race. I think they knew that they were a part of a very strong squad. It was incredible to witness the two victories in the mountains, where the team worked superbly together and Alberto’s solo ride crowned the whole experience."

"We tried to see if we could climb to second place (with Roman Kreuziger) but Nairo was very strong today. But it really doesn’t matter. We are tremendously happy with the results and the same is Roman, who rode the whole race for his captain and still finished on the podium. That’s an amazing achievement."

"It’s just special to see this kind of riding. It makes the race more exciting and it shows that it can be done if the team is supportive and the riders are determined enough. And of course, you have to have the legs to do it."

"Well, Alberto came to Tirreno in great shape. Now he will get some rest and then he’ll race again in Catalunya. But we don’t want to put too much pressure on him, and we also focus on big goals later in the season. But of course, if he’s good and don’t have to strain himself too much, a rider like Alberto is always among the favorites in a mountainous stage race."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 7, 29th (0:41 Malori - 10:13). Contador in GC, 1st (25:28:45)

TOP FIVE: 1 Contador, 2 Quintana (2:05), 3 Kreuziger (2:14), 4 Peraud (2:39), 5 Arredondo (2:54)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS AND PHOTOS - PALMARES


CONTADOR SAFE THROUGH SPRINT FINISH

March 17, 2014 - Alberto looks ahead to tomorrow's 9.1-km final ITT


Stage 6 GC podium, Tirreno-Adriatico

Sunny smiles from the race leader's podium (AP/Fabio Ferrari)

Stage 6, Monday, March 17: Bucchianico – Porto Sant’Elpidio, 189 km

Alberto Contador finished today’s stage in Tirreno-Adriatico without incident, after passing unscathed through the dangerous final kilometers before the sprint. “Yes, today was a day for surviving all types of mishaps and crashes, because it was the last opportunity for the sprinters and everyone wanted to go for broke.”

“I always tried to be well-positioned until the final three kilometers, where I relaxed and dropped back a little behind the group, because there’s no fear of a split in the peloton like when you’re really close in the GC,” explained Contador. For the final time trial tomorrow, Alberto said that he’ll try to give it everything. “Yes, I’m a rider who always likes to give the maximum. This year I’m not going to do much time trialing, but there will be a crucial one in the Tour de France, and any test that I do to keep improving is extremely important.”

Contador’s likely overall victory is especially meaningful to him. “It’s really important and I’m especially excited about it, because never in my career have I gotten a win in Tirreno-Adriatico, and that’s something that fills me with pride. It’s also special due to the way it was won… if and when, clearly, everything goes as normal tomorrow,” he said.

This victory is also important because it gives him confidence. “It’s a sign that I’m getting good results from the work that I’m doing and I have to continue along the same line,” he said.

Alberto reaffirmed his words of yesterday, when he said that he will never forget this race. “I thought about making that attack and about being able to finish in front,” he explained, “but when I saw that there was an escape group away by so many minutes, I never once thought about winning the stage. When they told me that they were so close and I was going to catch them, I also kept thinking about the GC, and that only when I got to the wall would I try something, but it was a secondary goal. At the end, I managed to finish it off with a victory. It couldn’t have turned out better even if I had written the script myself.”

Finally, Contador had a few words of appreciation for Steven de Jongh, the Tinkoff-Saxo director in charge of his training. “Yes, I’m with him and I’m really happy with his work. He and I have a very good rapport, and of course the work is paying off,” he concluded.

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

PLAYBOOK

Stage 7 ended in a sprint won by Mark Cavendish. It was his second win of this edition, which puts him even with Contador at two win apiece. The positions of the top men in the GC did not change.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Tinkoff-Saxo director: “It was a perfect scenario for us. We were hoping that the sprinter teams would take the reigns of the pack and as Kittel was dropped, they were all eager to work in the front so we didn’t have to. Now, we’re only one stage away from the overall win and let’s face it, it looks pretty promising with a two minute lead to Quintana. But history shows that many unforeseen things can happen during a time trial and we’re not celebrating until Alberto crossed the finish line tomorrow. Roman is in a good position as well and if he can finish second overall, it would be a major achievement for us. However, he has been working hard the whole week for Alberto and Quintana has time trials before."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 6, 70th (0:06 Cavendish - 4:16:15). Contador in GC, 1st (25:17:51)

TOP FIVE: 1 Contador, 2 Quintana (2:08), 3 Kreuziger (2:15), 4 Arredondo (2:39), 5 Peraud (2:40)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS AND PHOTOS


STUNNING VICTORY FOR CONTADOR AT GUARDIAGRELE

March 16, 2014 - Alberto climbs straight up to win Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 5


Climbing to a win at Guardiagrele

Contador climbs to victory on the Guardiagrele wall (MARCA)

Stage 5, Sunday, March 16: Amatrice – Guardiagrele, 192 km

BICICICLISMO | “I’m very, very happy with this victory because I believe that it’s different,” said Alberto Contador after his victory and display of prowess in Stage 5 of Tirreno-Adriatico today. Contador attacked with 32 kilometers to go on the Passo Lanciano and sealed the deal on the Guardiagrele wall. Tinkoff-Saxo’s Spaniard proved the strongest and took over the leader jersey with more than two minutes over his closest rivals.

“We had thought that Kreuziger and I would talk on the final climb about what the best tactics would be. But my dream was to attack on Lanciano and get away alone, even though sometimes that’s difficult and a big risk. Besides, I said, “It’s the best thing, a different victory, a greater motivation,” explained Contador about the stage. “I spoke with Nairo at the foot of the Passo Lanciano. A little after the start of the climb, he had no team left around him. I still had Kreuziger. I thought that the best strategy was to stay on Nairo’s wheel and then attack at the end of the stage, but, instead, I managed to open up a gap. I’m happy because I had the chance to achieve a good advantage and be out in front all the way to the finish line. I’m in good form, and confident, and thus the attack from a distance today,” he said.

In the post-race press conference, Contador verified the nature of his pre-season work: “My preparation has been stress-free this winter. I’ve isolated myself a little, I’ve declined any commitment that would make me miss training. I’ve done a lot of meters of mountains in training camps and I’ve kept my mouth shut in order to keep my weight down, since the older you get, the harder that is. The results have arrived, although the year has only just begun and I still lack a little race rhythm. My weight is good, even though I still have to give my legs the toning that they need for my big objectives further along in the season.”

“I wouldn’t say that it’s my best victory on Italian soil because winning the Giro was incredible for me and, of all the grand tours that I’ve won, that’s the one that has left me with marvelous memories.”

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Tinkoff-Saxo director: "Of course, our main ambition was to take time on Kwiatkowski but when and how to make the crucial move was not planned as we wanted to see how the stage developed. And fortunately, Alberto found just the right time and place to launch the attack and he worked alone against a chase group of five riders but still managed to gain time. However, the race isn't over yet and we have to remain focused on the job."

Purito Rodríguez, following the race as a spectator: “We can be rivals, we can get along better or worse...but one thing I’m not is blind!! What an exhibition I’m seeing in Tirreno-Adriatico! Chapeau!"

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 5, 1st (4:54:42). Contador in GC, 1st (21:01:30)

TOP FIVE: 1 Contador, 2 Quintana (2:08), 3 Kreuziger (2:15), 4 Arredondo (2:39), 5 Peraud (2:40)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS AND PHOTOS




CONTADOR TRIUMPHS AT CITTAREALE!

March 15, 2014 - Alberto attacks and defeats Quintana in Tirreno queen stage after impressive effort of sacrifice by Kreuziger


Tirreno-Adriatico queen stage

Alberto Contador triumphs at Cittareale (as.com)

Stage 4, Saturday, March 15: Indicatore – Cittareale (Selva Rotonda), 244 km

BICICICLISMO | The best Alberto Contador is back. The Spanish cyclists from Team Tinkoff-Saxo has conquered the mountaintop at Selvarotonda, the finish of Stage 4 of Tirreno-Adriatico, besting Nairo Quintana in the final meters. The Madrileño is now in second place in the GC, 16 seconds behind race leader Michal Kwiatkowski (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), who suffered in the final kilometers.

This is Contador's first victory in the Race of the Two Seas, a success that he calls “really important. All victories are important, but even more so in a race like Tirreno with a summit finish.” About his return to the top, he was clear: “I’ve just kept working like I always have. Sometimes I win, sometimes I don’t, but I wouldn’t call it a renaissance. I’ve just kept doing my job.”

Kwiatkowski ceded ten seconds at the finish line and Contador has a new opportunity to distance the Pole on Sunday at the Guardiagrele wall, before the final time trial on Tuesday. “The stage was really grueling. We expended a lot of energy. I hope that I can recover well, and tomorrow I’m going to try to gain more time on Kwiatkowski. He’s strong, and it won’t be easy,” he said.

Kreuziger blazed a trail for him with an early attack on the climb. “There wasn’t a plan before the stage. When the final climb began, Roman said that he felt strong and wanted to attack. I thought that it could be a good opportunity if nobody chased him, he could win the stage and climb up in the general. If they worked to catch up with him, I could save energy in the group and then attack at the finish. Roman did a great job and so did the rest of my teammates, as they have done since the first day. I’m very happy with each and every one of them,” he emphasized.

Contador had his mind on the bonus seconds at the finish line. “The bonifications at the end of the stage were important. Maybe I could’ve attacked at one kilometer to go, but maybe they would’ve caught me and somebody else would’ve won, leaving me with the same time as everybody else. It was better to get the bonifications. Looking ahead to the end of the stage, I thought that the smartest option was to wait for the final sprint. Tirreno-Adriatico is always reduced to a question of mere seconds,” he said. “The duel wasn’t just with Quintana. The stage win was disputed with Quintana in a few meters of the finale, but there were other very strong riders here,” he added.

In spite of everything, he’s left with a bittersweet feeling after the rather fast-paced ascent to Selvarotonda. “It’s a shame that it wasn’t extremely difficult. A headwind was really blowing and it wasn’t possible to make big time differences,” he acknowledged.

Post-stage press conference comments via Biciciclismo

PLAYBOOK

On the final climb, Roman Kreuziger struck out alone in a powerful bid for a solo victory, or so it seemed. He sooned looked over his shoulder, however, and past his immediate pursuer, a possible tip-off that he was watching for his team leader, Contador.

Kreuziger bulldozed ahead. In the final meters before the red kite, he began to zigzag across the road, not due to exhausation, but rather as a stalling technic to allow Contador to catch his wheel.

Contador was coming with Quintana, Scarponi, Kiserlovski and Porte, while race leader Kwiatkowski suffered a little farther behind. The group joined Kreuziger, pulling with it shreds of the pursuing favorites' group. Porte pulled in front as Contador slipped in behind super-domestique Kreuziger.

Porte's subsequent weak attack achieved nothing but to weed out the stragglers and reduce the group to four men: himself, Contador, Quintana, and Scarponi. Contador then attacked, Quintana followed, and that's all she wrote.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Tinkoff-Saxo DS: "I think the boys did a fantastic effort today. Everything went according to plan, which the guys executed to perfection. With Roman attacking on the final climb, we had Alberto in the chase group sitting and waiting for his moment and when the group caught up with Roman, Alberto left no doubt that he’s in excellent form by outsprinting the other favorites on the final hundred meters of the stage. Now, he’s second overall and even though Kwiatkowski was left behind today doesn’t mean that we can do the same thing again. But of course, we’ll chase the overall win with all we have."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 4, 1st (6:39:56). Contador in GC, 2nd (0:16 Kwiatkowski - 16:06:42)

TOP THREE: 1 Kwiatkowski, 2 Contador (0:16), 3 Quintana (0:23)

VIDEO - PHOTOS - COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS AND PHOTOS




SPRINT SUPRPISE PUTS KWIATKOWSKI IN FRONT

March 14, 2014 - Contador and other favorites lose seconds to the Polish GC man from OPQS


2014 Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 3, Friday, March 14: Cascina – Arezzo, 210 km.

Today's third stage of Tirreno-Adriatico ended in a sprint. Contador finished near the front, as usual in such a situation. Peter Sagan won the stage, but the hurt came when Michal Kwiatkowski managed to take Sagan's wheel and keep it to cross the line second and bag an advantage, plus the bonus seconds. Team OPQS now has the Pole in the leader jersey and Uran in second, while Contador trails at 0:36. Tomorrow: the mountains.

That's racing. Contador says that he'll fight for the stage win in tomorrow's uphill finish at Cittareale-Sevlarotonda.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, team director, about Contador and tomorrow's fight: - "He is good. He is looking really sharp and focused. So it’s pretty simple – tomorrow we will go for the stage win. We have a very strong team with riders like Roche and Kreuziger ready to put the peloton under severe pressure, and then Alberto has to finish it on the final part of the climb."

Michal Kwiatkowski, new race leader: “You can see that Contador has a lot of support from his teammates. They were in front during the whole day. He was very strong in the Volta ao Algarve, so I think that he’s the biggest rival for the victory in Tirreno-Adriatico. He’s in very good form and feels good about it. Having said that, Sky was always near the front, so we’ll see.”

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 3, 14th (0:06 Sagan - 5:10:17). Contador in GC, 11th (0:36 Kwiatkowski - 9:26:36)

TOP THREE: 1 Kwiatkowski, 2 Uran (0:10), 3 Clarke (0:13)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS


CONTADOR HOME SAFE IN BUNCH SPRINT

March 13, 2014 - Pelucchi of Swiss team IAM wins Stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico


2014 Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 2, Thursday, March 13: San Vincenzo – Cascina, 166 km

Alberto Contador finished in the bunch sprint in today's Stage 2 of Tirreno-Adriatico. He was well protected by his teammates during the entire stage, which passed without incident for the Tinkoff-Saxo team. Near the end of the stage, Contador went to the front with Daniele Bennati, maybe to test whether the Italian's legs were sprint-ready.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit: “The boys did what I expected them to supporting Alberto and one way to do that is go to the front of the pack in order not get mixed up in potential pile-ups in a hectic finale. Everyone’s safe and ready for tomorrow’s stage where we have to be very careful in the finale. The stage is concluded on a short but very steep uphill finish and if you’re unaware you can lose seconds because of small gaps in the field. I expect a breakaway to be caught at the foot of the climb and the GC riders might use the opportunity to test the legs."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 2, 30th (s.t. Pelucchi). Contador in GC, 23rd (0:24 Cavendish)

TOP THREE: 1 Cavendish, 2 Kwiatkowski (s.t.), 3 Uran (s.t.)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS


TINKOFF-SAXO 4TH IN OPENING TTT

March 12, 2014 - Contador: "We gave it everything we had"


Tinkoff-Saxo rides hard in Stage 1

Alberto and team turned in a solid performance in the opening TTT (Tirreno-Adriatico)

Stage 1, March 12: Donoratico – San Vincenzo, 18.5 km (TTT)

Alberto Contador gave a positive review of Tinkoff-Saxo’s results today in the team time trial, especially of his teammates’ performance. “I’m happy with the team. We gave it everything we had,” he said.

He also acknowledged that he had not expected to cede so much time to the stage winners. “It’s true that we gave up a little more time than we would’ve liked, in particular to Omega, who have a rider in incredible form – Kwiatkowski – and who’ve also got Rigoberto Uran for the general classification. But it’s also true that we’ve been able to score some time differences between us and other teams and therefore, except for Omega, the existing differences are pretty good.”

Alberto commented that everything will be decided after this inaugural stage. “Tirreno starts now and we have to take it one day at a time. It’s true that 24 seconds is quite a deficit, but we’ll see what we can achieve.” For him, the best thing about today was how he saw himself on the bike. “I’m happy with how I feel physically, it’s quite good in spite of this being a completely flat time trial, and that’s the most important thing,” he said. “Maybe there were teams with more powerful riders than ours, and in certain sections of the time trial they were able to get a margin, but the truth as I saw it is that the team did very well and is strong, and I think that we’ll do a great Tirreno-Adriatico,” concluded the leader of Tinkoff-Saxo.

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

PLAYBOOK

Tinkoff-Saxo rode well and showed that they are ready for a grueling week. They crossed the finish line with six men together; Tosatto and Morkov finished later. OPQS (with World Champion Tony Martin), Orica Greenedge and Movistar took the top three places, leaving Contador several seconds in arrears to three GC men: Nairo Quintana, Kwiatkowski and Uran. Trek Factory Racing, with Cancellara, and Team Sky, with Wiggins, failed to shine.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit: “Obviously, we expected a good result from the boys and I think this is a good result even though we didn’t take the win. Omega-Pharma and Orica are specialists in this discipline and we finished ahead of our main opponent here, Richie Porte. I think we’ve created a solid position before entering the mountains. However, we now have to focus on tomorrow’s sprinter stage and make sure Alberto is protected all the way."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 1, 27th (0:24 Cavendish -20:13). Contador in GC, 4th (0:24 Cavendish -20:13)

TOP THREE: 1 Cavendish, 2 Kwiatkowski (s.t.), 3 Uran (s.t.)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS


NEXT UP: TIRRENO-ADRIATICO

March 11, 2014 - Alberto Contador at the opening press conference


Alberto Contador, along with other star riders, appeared today at the kickoff press conference of this year’s edition of Tirreno-Adriatico, which begins tomorrow with a team time trial. The leader of the Tinkoff-Saxo team said that he’s arriving “at a good moment. I’ve been working calmly in a different way this winter, and even though I’m coming here with only a few days of competition, I hope to keep breaking myself in, and to have a good performance.”

Tirreno-Adriatico will be the second race of the season for Contador, following on last month’s Volta ao Algarve, hence he thinks that he should “go day by day and see what happens in the end. We’re starting with a team time trial where there will be extremely strong teams, and Tirreno-Adriatico is characterized by definition by very small differences in the GC. The bonifications play an important role, and we’ll have to try to take it one day at a time to finish as far to the front as possible. We’ll see where we stand at the end of the week.”

Among his goals for the start of the season, Alberto positions Tirreno-Adriatico as “a great objective. It’s a really great race. I got to know it last year and I really like it. It will be the first of three races that I’m going to do now, together with Catalunya and País Vasco, and I want to be at a high level. For me, all the races are important, and one with the prestige of Tirreno-Adriatico, too.”

Finally, Alberto was very satisfied with the Tinkoff-Saxo team that will take the start tomorrow. “I’m really happy. It’s a very strong team and I think that we have people to do well in every type of terrain, also to do a good team time trial. I have full confidence in my teammates,” he concluded.

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

Riding for Tinkoff-Saxo in Tirreno-Adriatico: Alberto Contador, Daniele Bennati, Manuele Boaro, Matteo Tosatto, Nicolas Roche, Michael Mørkøv, Roman Kreuziger, Sergio Paulinho

BETTINI PHOTOS


CONTADOR PODIUMS IN ALGARVE

February 23, 2014 - Solid start to 2014 season for Alberto


Grin

A GC 2nd for Contador in the Algarve makes for a sweet start to 2014 (AC press room)

Alberto Contador finished second in the general classification of the Volta ao Algarve after Cavendish’s Stage 5 sprint win. Alberto wraps up his first race of the year feeling very good following a victory in the queen stage, and now will continue working towards his next race, Tirreno-Adriatico. “It’s been a very important week for me because I’ve done better with each passing day of competition,” said the Tinkoff-Saxo leader after coming off the podium.

Alberto gave a tongue-in-cheek answer to a question about whether this result meant that this is the return of the best Contador. “You’ll find out,” he said to reporters. “If you think that I ever went away, then maybe yes.” And more seriously, he compared his current state with that of one year ago, which wasn’t bad either. “At this point in the season in 2013, I was also at a great level in the Tour of Oman, where I finished second and was on the verge of winning two stages, but yes, this year the work has been done better. I’m feeling good and I’m happy with this way of working.”

Finally, he answered questions about Froome, his win in Oman and the chances for beating him in the Tour. “In Oman we already knew that he was in great form. He talked very confidently about his chances, and it would’ve been strange if he hadn’t gotten the victory,” he said. About the Tour de France, Alberto concluded by saying that what’s most important now “is to work to arrive at the start line at one hundred percent, and then we’ll see the results.”

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

PLAYBOOK Stage 5 ended in a sprint, which was won by Mark Cavendish.

ACCORDING TO...

Tinkoff-Saxo's DS, Philippe Mauduit: "Not only Alberto but the whole team did an amazing job today and started putting on the pressure with 45 kilometers to go. At the foot of the uphill finish, only 8 riders were left in the first group and Alberto put the icing on the cake by pulling away on the final kilometer to take a stunning win. As a said this a victory for the whole team but also indicates that Alberto is in better shape than at the same time last year and I think that's promising in terms looking ahead at the rest of the season."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 5, 42nd (s.t. Cavendish - 3:24:10). Contador in GC, 2nd (0:19 Kwiatkowski - 16:29:57)

TOP THREE: 1 Kwiatkowski, 2 Contador (0:19), 3 Rui Costa (0:32)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - BETTINI PHOTOS - ATLAS, STAGE 5


CONTADOR WINS ALGARVE SUMMIT FINISH!

February 22, 2014 - Alberto shows progressing form in Stage 4 with first win of the season


Grin

Victorious Contador meets the public with a quizzical grin (AC press room)

Stage 4, February 22: Almodôvar - Alto do Malhão (Loulé), 164.5 km

Alberto Contador got his first victory of the 2014 season today on the Alto do Malhão, where he pulled off a solo win on the only summit finish of this edition. Contador took 10 seconds on his closest rival and consolidated his position as second in the GC behind Kwiatkowski, who remained in the leader jersey. “I’m happy because the team worked really hard, they bet on me again and what better way to reward them than by finishing with a win,” said Contador after stepping down from the podium.

“My physical condition is better every day,” he said on his fourth day of competition this year, “and the work that I’ve done over the winter is right on track,” said Alberto. “We have to continue to be equally focused, doing everything well, and I hope that the results keep on coming in the rest of the races.”

About the time gap at the finish line and the possibility of having taken over the leadership, Contador said that this is a “pretty short finale for getting big gaps. I really think that they were pretty big, but I wanted to gamble more for the stage win than for the GC, because taking a lot of time was complicated. Of course, we’d like to win the GC, but Kwiatkowski is extremely strong and the terrain here is what it is.”

Alberto said that “at the moment, the season is going perfectly,” and explained what the final climb was like. “I just kept consistent, and in the final kilometer I launched two accelerations until I could see that Kwiatkowski was really at his limit. Then I kept on, and I was able to get away solo.” Finally, Alberto said that it hadn’t been an easy victory, even though people might have expected it. “It’s a finish that suited me and that’s the problem, people think that winning is normal. But I’m happy, because the team made sacrifices for me, and when you finish off a job like that with a victory, it leaves a better feeling.”

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

PLAYBOOK

Tinkoff-Saxo pulled Alberto to the foot of the climb near the front of the peloton, giving him a launch point for an attack on the 2.5-km Alto do Malhão, the iconic climb of the Volta ao Algarve. It was impossible not to expect that Rui Costa would fight tooth and nail to recover what he lost in the time trial. But neither Costa nor Kwiatkowski, nor anyone else, could get the better of Contador. Alberto gave a refresher course in Pistolero finish line protocol - pow! - something we haven't seen since January of 2013. He's still got the knack.

ACCORDING TO...

Tinkoff-Saxo's DS, Philippe Mauduit: "Not only Alberto but the whole team did an amazing job today and started putting on the pressure with 45 kilometers to go. At the foot of the uphill finish, only 8 riders were left in the first group and Alberto put the icing on the cake by pulling away on the final kilometer to take a stunning win. As a said this a victory for the whole team but also indicates that Alberto is in better shape than at the same time last year and I think that's promising in terms looking ahead at the rest of the season."

Michal Kwiatkowski, race leader: “It was a hard day. The pace was really high, but I had a lot of support from my teammates for controling the race... Guys like Contador and Rui Costa would love to win and take away my yellow jersey. It was a true fight to the finish.”

“It’s a climb with steep slopes and a very high pace, it wasn’t easy to follow them. I tried to keep on the wheel of Contador, who didn’t stop looking back to see how I was feeling, how I looked. I wanted to win the stage, and maybe I wanted it too much. I paid for it dearly, but I defended myself and that was the main goal. It was a good lesson for me.”

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 4, 1st (4:02:08). Contador in GC, 2nd (0:16 Kwiatkowski - 13:05:50)

TOP FIVE: 1 Kwiatkowski, 2 Contador (0:16), 3 Rui Costa (0:29)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - BETTINI PHOTOS - ATLAS, STAGE 4

Contador fires off after winning on the Alto do Malhão

Contador fires happy shots after winning on the Alto do Malhão (AC press room)


CONTADOR MOVES UP IN ALGARVE Stage 3 ITT

February 21, 2014 - Good showing by Alberto puts him in 2nd overall


Contador rumbles through Stage 3 ITT

Contador rumbles through the Stage 3 ITT (EFE)

Stage 3, February 21: Vila de Bispo - Sagres, 13.6 km (ITT)

Alberto Contador sparkled in today’s Stage 3 time trial in the Volta ao Algarve, finishing fourth to stage- and overall winner, Kwiatkowski, and clocking in at only seven seconds behind world champion Tony Martin (3rd). Contador and Rui Costa, who finished 12th, flipflopped in the standings, leaving Contador in 2nd overall.

Contador, who had predicted that Kwiatkowski would have a good day, was unphased by the young Pole’s superior showing, and did not expect to unseat him on Sunday. “Kwiatkowski is very strong and tomorrow’s finish will not create big gaps, so it would be a surprise if Kwiatkowski did not win the race.”

“My physical sensations are not excellent, but, taking into account that we’re at the beginning of the season, they’re good. These time trial tests serve as good training,” said Alberto.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit: “I think Alberto did a very good time trial and one of his best in a long time so obviously, I’m happy about that. But also Sergio and Rafal did solid time trials today and especially Rafal really has to dig deep every time he gets the chance to do a time trial in order to develop his skills in stage races. Now Alberto’s second overall with a time difference of 32 seconds so I guess it’s more or less needless to say that we have to rock the boat hard tomorrow to take the top spot of the podium."

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 3: 4th (0:20 Kwiatkowski). Contador in GC: 2nd (0:32 Kwiatkowski - 9:03:36)

TOP THREE: 1 Kwiatkowski, 2 Contador (0:32), 3 Rui Costa (0:38)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - ATLAS, STAGE 3


VOLTA AO ALGARVE, STAGE 2: ALBERTO IN MOTION

February 20, 2014 - Contador revs his engine, finishes with Costa 6" behind Kwiatkowski


Costa, Contador, then Prades pursue Kwiatkowski, a little too late

Contador and Costa leave Prades behind in a vain attempt to catch stage-winner Kwiatkowski (AC press room)

Stage 2, February 20: Lagoa - Monchique, 196 km

Alberto Contador finished Stage 2 of the Volta ao Algarve today in third place, with the same time as Rui Costa and only six seconds behind the stage winner and current overall leader. “It’s a good result for it being the second day of competition and facing riders who already have days of competition in their legs. The winner already knows what it is to win in the Mallorca Challenge and he has that rhythm, and Rui Costa has eight or nine days – and it shows, especially when the heart is at the max,” said Alberto Contador after the stage.

The Tinkoff-Saxo leader was happy because, he said, “every day I’ll go better in this tour. Taking into account that this is the first day of the year, it’s okay. Kwiatiowski just took off for the finish line and got over the climb with three or four seconds. The problem was that, behind, things were not well organized, it seemed like there were more attacks than there were people to work together to go after him.”

“It was important to catch him so that he couldn’t accumulate any time, but there was no real understanding, no 100% cooperation. Now he’s at 12 seconds, a very small difference, but also really big one, because everybody already knows that he’s an extremely strong rider against the clock and, in principle, it will go better for him tomorrow than for anyone else.”

About the decisive climb of the Malhão, Alberto said that he might possibly be even better “because it will be the fourth day of competition. First let’s see what happens tomorrow, and then we’ll see what happens on Malhão, because there won’t be big time differences, since there are only 13 kilometers. And with favorable wind, although the last part is technical and there’s a final kilometer of pavé. We’ll have to take it one day at a time, but everything will be wide open for Malhão. Being in third, there are still options,” concluded Alberto Contador.

Official press release, Alberto Contador press room

PLAYBOOK

At 196 kilometers, today's stage from Lagoa to Monchique was the longest of this edition of the Volta ao Algarve. A sprint contest at Km 132 marked the end of the relatively flat portion of the parcours, after which the peloton shot uphill.

They tackled the climb to Monchique twice. Contador attacked on the second ascent, but young Polish rider Michael Kwiatkowski caught him and made a run for the line. Kwiatkowski gained a handful of seconds in a few descending kilometers to the end. The efforts of Contador, world-champion Rui Costa and a fourth man, Eduard Prades, to catch up to the Pole fell short. Kwiatkowski took the win.

ACCORDING TO...

Philippe Mauduit, Tinkoff-Saxo DS: “The guys did a fantastic job out there. In the finale, we managed to explode the bunch by putting pressure in the front of the field and it was really a close call on the finish line but Kwiatkowski is now a few seconds ahead of us before tomorrow’s time trial. Here, Tony Martin is the big favorite to win and because of the flat and slightly downhill course, Alberto can not be expected to win but surely, he’s fit, very motivated to do well and knows the course.”

RESULTS: Contador in Stage 2, 3rd (0:06 Michael Kwiatkowski - 4:57:57). Contador in GC: 3rd (0:12 Kwiatkowski)

TOP FIVE: 1 Kwiatkowski (8:49:33), 2 Rui Costa (0:04), 3 Alberto Contador (0:12), 4 Eduard Prades (0:16), 5 Edgar Pinto (0:27)

COMPLETE CLASSIFICATIONS - ATLAS, STAGE 2


40TH VOLTA AO ALGARVE: LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

February 19, 2014 - Season's debut in Portugal for Alberto Contador




Highlights of Stage 1 sprint finish, won by Sasha Modolo. Contador finished in the pack at 30th.


All text © 2007-2008 Rebecca Bell, contadorfans@hotmail.com.
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