Backed by a strong team, Alberto Contador finishes in 2nd place overall after five days of racing at Vuelta a Andalucía. Going into the final day, the Spanish captain was just two seconds away from the red jersey, but could do little on the fast and somewhat flat final stage. Tinkoff-Saxo held the red jersey for three stages and won a spectacular mountain stage in the team’s first European race of the season.

After crossing the final finish line of the race, Alberto Contador expressed his satisfaction with his current shape.

“I’m pleased with the progression of my shape. Actually, I’m a bit surprised to be at this level at this part of the early season. I’m not too far in my preparations, but I see my performance on the stage that I won and in the time trial as a sign that I’m ready to reach for my main season objectives”, says Alberto Contador and adds:

“Two seconds separated me from the win, but today there was little I could do to take back time on Froome. But the most important aspect is that my preparations for my main objectives are going perfect. It wouldn’t have changed anything if I had won, as we still need to prepare for the next goals with the same concentration no matter what”

“I’ve got a win I didn’t plan on, and I’m happy, my build-up for the Giro d’Italia is going very well.

“This year the rival I’ve had is better at mountain climbing and as he [Froome] has said, he’s been building up for the Tour since last year’s race.

“I believe he’s been training for quite a spell in South Africa, he’s in very good form, and you could tell he was counting the days to come to this race. So being so close to him is very good for me, it’s a good sign. And the team is working well, too, so we just have to go on like this.

“It’s true I could have pushed myself a bit harder on the day I won, but that’s cycling, it is what it is. I got second and that’s all there is to it.

“I had no idea what the last little climb [in today's stage] was like, I was ready to try for it if there had been an opportunity. But there was no way I could do anything, there wasn’t much room for attacking, it wasn’t that hard and it was complicated to try and split the pack apart today.

“Hazallanas [stage 3] was a test, keeping a steady pace at all times, watching my watts, the same as when I train and it was an odd feeling to do that. I should maybe have pushed myself a bit harder, but I’m still very pleased all round. And the time trial, particularly bearing in mind how tricky it was, was a good result as well. That always boosts your confidence.”

Tinkoff-Saxo has been riding in the front on all stages in order to keep team captain Contador safe and to control the events on all stages. Asked about the work done by his teammates, Alberto Contador replied:

“We have done our best every day and projected a good image as a team. I want to thank all of my teammates for their work, they have been incredible pulling at the front and supporting me”.

A final attempt

The final stage 5 from Montilla took the riders 171km along rolling roads of a gradual decline to the town of Alhaurín de la Torre near the sea. A seven-rider breakaway was tightly controlled during the entire stage. The last rider was swept up with 7km to go, as Tinkoff-Saxo surged to the front of the main bunch in a last attempt to create gaps, splits and havoc on the technical approach to the finish line atop a 1,200m ramp. Steven de Jongh, Tinkoff-Saxo sports director, describes the stage:

“It was a very fast day and we tried to take back a couple of seconds in the finale but it was not possible. Froome stuck to the wheel of Alberto, as we put pressure on the front. So we ended with the same standings as when the stage had started”.

The Tinkoff-Saxo sports director is, nevertheless, pleased with the signs and results that he saw along the undulating Andalusian roads.

“There are especially three highlights that we’ll take with us from this race. First off, Alberto performance on the short time trial, then his and the entire team’s efforts on the day we won on Hazallanas and finally the overall teamwork and harmony of this group. Petrov, Tosatto and Valgren spent a lot of time at the front, where they practically controlled the race and Basso, Hernandez and Paulinho delivered in the finales”, concludes Steven de Jongh, who once again accompanies Contador into action at Tirreno-Adriatico at the beginning of March.

Tour of Oman equally finished today with Rafal Majka claiming 4th overall in his first race of the season.