Alberto Contador will begin this weekend his challenge. The Tinkoff-Saxo leader want to become the first man since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win the Tour de France and Giro in the same year. El Pistolero will have a strong team with him: Ivan Basso, Roman Kreuziger and Michael Rogers. But, he explained his preparation has not been perfect, but he told to AS he is ready.

"I am physically ready for the Giro and psychologically prepared for what awaits me after the Giro. I know that I risked the beginning of the season for the challenge of the Giro and the Tour. At the same time this has the attraction that some people see it as impossible, which motivates me greatly."

His main rival is Richie Porte, the Team Sky leader. He showed he is very strong. "He's been amazing from the Tour Down Under… He looks very motivated, he knows he has a great opportunity to fight for the general classification, and he will be a tough opponent. We'll have to see how it is but my level in the Giro will be very different", Contador added.

"Before beginning I said to go to the Giro and the Tour would risk the start of the season. I've had a good level… The only two things that have upset me a little are falls in Tirreno and Catalunya, which can always disrupt something."