Alberto Contador will be one of the favorite for the next Tour de France. But the Spanish rider, who is targeting a Giro-TDF double, the British Chris Froome will be most dangerous. Despite the lack of time trial kilometers on the route, Froome has the ability to win even the toughest mountain stages.

Asked about who will be the favorite, El Pistolero replied according L’Equipe: “Froome, without question! Some people are already starting to say that with so few kilometers of time trialling that this isn’t a Tour for Froome. But, although he might be a really good time trial specialist, he is above all a climber. He is capable of winning the biggest mountain stages. I think that Quintana and Nibali are a level below.”

This year, his aim is to his best on Giro and Tour. "The only difference this year is that I’m not going to line up at races at the start of the season with the aim of winning them. My big challenge is still winning the Giro and the Tour," he said. "I want to win them both. I wouldn’t have taken on this challenge without being able to achieve it. I am well aware that it’s not going to be easy. By doing the Giro, it is often difficult to arrive at the Tour in optimal form. What motivates me even more is hearing that achieving this double has become almost impossible."

His contract with Tinkoff-Saxo will be expired this season. "I’m realistic, I’ve just turned 32. I’ve never felt as good during my career and I am still motivated. On the other hand, when my decision to stop is made, I want people to remember that I left when I was at the highest level," he confessed. "That means I don’t see myself staying in the peloton for very much longer. Pressed on whether he might retire at the end of this year if he achieves the Giro-Tour double, Contador explained: "It’s complicated to say yes to that today. I believe that I still could do another year. But it’s only: ‘I believe.’ The weeks and months to come will tell me what decision to take at the end of the season. What is sure is that that I can’t see myself remaining a professional rider for more than three more seasons."