After a disastrous 2013 season, Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) proved that he may be returning to his best form when he finished 2nd in the Volta ao Algarve after winning the race's queen stage. The Spaniard refuses suggestions that he was not good in 2013 but admits that things are better this time around.

There were no trouble for Alberto Contador in today's sprint stage of the Volta ao Algarve and so the Spaniard could comfortably ride across the line on the wheel of his teammate Matteo Tosatto to secure 2nd place in the Portuguese race. After a horrible 2013 season where he only won a single race, things have started much better for the Spaniard who won yesterday's queen stage of the race.

After stepping down from the podium, however, the Spaniard refused the suggestion that it was a massive improvement compared to last year when he finished 2nd behind Chris Froome in the Tour of Oman.

"It was a difficult stage," he said. "We had to stay in front not to take any risks.

It was a very important week for me in terms of getting in shape through races like these and I felt better each day. At this point of the season in 2013, I also had a high level in the Tour of Oman, finishing second, and I had two stage wins within reach. But this year I’ve been doing a better job through the winter and I have a good feeling. I’m really happy with this way of working."

While Contador has been excelling in Portugal, defending Tour de France champion Chris Froome has crushe the opposition in the Tour of Oman. However, Contador refused to put too much emphasis on the excellent condition shown by his main rival.

"We knew that he was in great form in Oman," he said. "He has shown great confidence and it would have been more strange if he hadn't taken the victory. It is just important to continue the work to be at 100% at the start [of the Tour de France] and then we'll see the results."

Sports director Philippe Mauduit was pleased to see his star rider start the season on a good not.

“We didn’t bring any sprinters to this race so obviously we had no hopes of getting in the mix with Cavendish," he said. "However, we came here to make a good solid result with Alberto and I think we succeeded in doing just that. Finishing second overall and taking a stage win in his first race of the reason is satisfying and promising regarding the bigger challenges ahead.”