Coming 61st in an individual time trial is not an everyday occurrence for Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) so when it happened yesterday at the Critérium du Dauphiné, Contador obviously sought to minimize the implication of his spectacular debacle.

“It was not a good day for me,” he confessed to L’Equipe after losing three minutes 37 seconds to stage winner Tony Martin in the 32.5 kilometre test. “At the start I felt that I didn’t have much power in the legs. I decided to focus more on cadence in the finale. It is not a good period for me because of allergies. Now, I will continue to work and I will take the race day by day.”

Since his return last year from a ban due to a positive clenbuterol test, Contador has often seemed to be some way off his commanding form of 2009. Although he won last year’s Vuelta a España, snatching the lead from an otherwise imperial Joaquím Rodriguez (Katusha) when the Spaniard had an off day and was caught off guard together with his team, but otherwise Contador has been significantly quieter than before.

The 2013 season has thus far been a disappointment for Contador who has been able to book just one win and despite his cautious pre-race predictions his current 34th overall must be way off what Contador himself - and others - would have imagined.

“I think it was obvious for everyone that Alberto was not at his normal high level today,” said Saxo Tinkoff directeur sportif Philippe Mauduit this afternoon. “He had a feeling of lack of energy and it seems like he had an off-day at a very unfortunate time…that is significantly crucial on a time trial like this. Now, it looks more than difficult in terms of targeting a top overall result but we'll continue our preparations for the Tour. Naturally, we hope that Alberto will back at his best tomorrow when it' goes down again among the favourites on the uphill finish.”

While it may seem doubtful that Contador will be able to stamp his authority on the Critérium du Dauphiné this year, Contador insisted that he still has enough time to reach peak condition ahead of the Tour de France.

“I didn’t have much energy in the legs, but there is still time before my form reaches the top. I hope to be better and better each stage,” he said. “For the Tour de France, there’s still time. I knew that Chris Froome was superior in time trialling.”

The Critérium du Dauphiné continues today with a 139 kilometre stage from Grésy-sur-Aix to the hors category summit finish of Valmorel. Starting at 12.45 you can follow the action live here on Cyclingquotes.com