Having been linked with the new squad set up by F1 driver Fernando Alonso, Alberto Contador (Saxo-Tinkoff) has dashed the rumours by confirming that he will respect his contract. He explains that he has an exceptional relationship with team owner Bjarne Riis and now has set his sights on the world championships.

Alberto Contador drew headlines when rumours started to circulate that he would join forces with close friend Fernando Alonso on the new team that the F1 driver is about to set up. With his Saxo-Tinoff team being in financial difficulties, the press speculated that team manager Bjarne Riis would be happy to get rid of Contador's high salary.

Interviewed by L'Equipe at Sunday's GP de Fourmies, Contador has now denied the rumours and made it clear that he will respect his contract that runs through the 2015 season. At the same time, he does, however, praise the fact that his native Spain is about to get another team that may go on to be one of the best in the world.

"My team has been incredibly supportive at the Tour de France and I have a contract to honour," Contador said. "Of course, I'm aware of what's going on: it is a wonderful opportunity to get a sponsor with a budget to be one of the best teams in the world."

It was rumoured in the Danish press that the relationship with team boss Bjarne Riis had deteriorated following a disappointing Tour de France when the former winner could only manage 4th. Contador denies those claims, stating that "My relationship with Bjarne is exceptional."

Riis has done nothing to hide that he would have preferred Contador to defend his Vuelta title. However, Contador denies claims that he has been forced to ride certain races.

"I have never been ordered  by my team to ride certain race. I'm free," he insisted. "It's not fair to suggest otherwise. Regarding the Vuelta, it is important that riders who worked for me in July get a chance to play their own cards."

Apart from last season, Contador has never raced much in the autumn season but this year is different. He skipped his Vuelta title defence to focus fully on the world championships which is held on an unusually hilly route in Florence and he claims to have big ambitions.

Having won his first ever one-day race in the Milan-Turin last year, he has put together a autumn schedule made up only of one-day races and has got back into action at the GP Ouest-France Plouay, the Brussels Cycling Classic and the GP de Fourmies whose flat courses have made him play a support role. He will finish his preparation this weekend at the Canadian WorldTour races and also plans to race Il Lombardia.

"Why I am here? Because I have ambitions for the World Championship and Lombardy," he said. "It's true that the Vuelta has proved to be the best road to the world championships but I don't think it's impossible to reach my best form. This program is unusual for me with only one-day races but the idea is to get through the weekend in Canada to have my highest level two weeks later in Florence."

On Friday and Sunday, you can follow the Canadian WorldTour races live on CyclingQuotes.com.