Heading into the final week with a deficit of almost five minutes, Alberto Contador admits that it will be very difficult to achieve his goal of the Giro-Tour double.

“The objective of the double is very difficult now,” he said at his rest day press conference. “I think I did something complicated but not only for this year because I don’t think I will try it again.

"In any case, I still think it’s possible. The Giro was very difficult and tough with Astana strong from the beginning. I arrived at the Tour and the level of my rivals has been very high, so all together the double remains a difficult task.”

“I want to take any opportunity from now to the finish. My objective when I started this Tour was only the victory but I know that some riders, especially one, is very strong at this moment. At the moment, I am not happy with the podium but having done the Giro, I look at my position in a different way

“I will take any opportunities and look at the peloton to see how tired it is and how my legs feel. Anything can happen at any moment including on Alpe d’Huez.”