Alberto Contador will go into the Vuelta a Espana with a vastly different mindset than usual. Having just come back from injury, he doesn't know whether the will be able to ride for GC but promises to give it his all throughout the three weeks.
How do you feel being at the start of the Vuelta?
Just being here is already a great news. Had I been told that three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. I’m delighted to be here but I don’t know my level. I got a big support from the public so even if I come to the start in a different condition than usual, I’m very motivated.
How do you feel physically?
I feel better and better each day. Physically, my level remains unknown for now. I haven’t trained for a Grand Tour as I usually do. I hope my knee will not hurt. In a race, we always ride more aggressively. We’ll see on the way. I came to the Vuelta for that.
Do you think the course, without many hills at the beginning, will give you some time to find the right condition for the mountains?
I’ll see it day by day. Sincerely, I don’t think I have the condition for fighting for the overall classification. I haven’t had the right preparation for that and some very high leveled riders come here at 100% of their capacities. The first time trial on stage 10 will be the first real test but I’ll see before that how the legs go. I won’t be on the brakes! I have a great team. Depending on how it goes, we’ll adjust the strategy.
What would make you happy in three weeks from now?
To have given everything. I’ll do my best. I’ll try to race at the front as much as I can. I’m glad to be here, for the Grand Tour of my country.
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