CyclingQuotes.com Strong team to support Contador at the Dauphiné

After a long break from competition, Alberto Contador will finalize his preparation for the Tour de France in the Criterium du Dauphiné and even though he will be missing key support riders Michael Rogers, Roman Kreuziger and Nicolas Roche, he will be supported by a strong team of climbers. Close friend Jesus Hernandez and loyal domestiques Bruno Pires, Rory Sutherland, Nicki Sørensen and Sergio Paulinho are part of his usual support crew while youngsters Michael Valgren and Edward Beltran get the chance to ride with the team's biggest star in a major event.

Sunday 8th of June, Tinkoff-Saxo take on the Tour de France warm-up race, Dauphiné Libéré with a line-up made up of Alberto Contador, Jesus Hernandez, Nicki Sørensen, Michael Valgren, Bruno Pires, Edward Beltran, Rory Sutherland and Sergio Paulinho.

The race is launched with a 10 kilometer long individual time trial to get things started and already the following day, the first uphill finish on an HC category climb is due on the Col du Beal. After a few hilly stages, the GC riders are challenged with the 160 kilometer long 7th stage with another summit finish, 1900 meters above sea level in Finhaut-Emosson. The race finishes the following day with a grand finale on the top of Courchevel.

“As always, Dauphiné Libéré and Tour de Suisse are important races in the build-up for the Tour de France," sports director Philippe Mauduit said. "It’s a hard race with a time trial, a few rather flat stages as well as high mountains so it’s perfect in terms of preparing for the Tour.

"Alberto has had a break of 8 weeks from racing so he’s not peaking yet but this race should help him brushing off his condition. That also means that we’ll take it day by day and see how it develops. However, we’re here to support Alberto and each rider has his individual job to fulfill."

Tour de France contenders Chris Froome (Sky) and Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) are in the race as well.

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