Tinkoff DS Sean Yates has said that in what is provisionally looking like his last season as a pro, Alberto Contador is putting all of his eggs in the July basket and one last Tour de France.

“Alberto is always motivated, but because this could be his final season, he’s likely to be more motivated, if that’s possible,” Yates told VeloNews. “Alberto is a fighter, and he will be committed to being in the best possible shape for the Tour.”

Contador won’t race until almost the end of this month at the Volta ao Algarve, whilst Quintana, Nibali and Froome have all started racing in 2016.

Yates says the 33 year old Spaniard is the only rider who can beat Froome in the 2016 Tour, given the race’s route.

“We all know that Froome is great on the uphill, and he’s great in the time trial, but he’s not unbeatable,” Yates said. “Alberto is motivated to beat him. When Froome is good, you have to be at the top of your game to beat him. Alberto will not go for a lack of trying. I believe Alberto is still the only guy who starts out in the same level as Froome.”

Yates knows that the Tour’s story will feature other actors for the GC, but he is hopeful he can help his rider write the perfect ending to an enthralling tale.

“I expect a big battle this year,” Yates continued. “And when you add in [Richie] Porte, [Tejay] van Garderen, Nairo, [Fabio] Aru, Nibali, and the others, and it’s going to be a hard-fought Tour. The level is very, very high, and it’s only getting higher.”