After winning Tirreno-Adriatico and finishing 2nd in the Volta a Catalunya, Alberto Contador is ready for his final race of his spring campaign when he lines up at next week's Vuelta al Pais Vasco. With the team expecting another podium performance, they have selected a strong team to support him, spearheaded by Roman Kreuziger who finished 3rd in Tirreno.

On Monday April 7, Tinkoff-Saxo take on Vuelta Pais Vasco, which is quite similar to Volta a Catalunya in length and intensity with several categorized climbs every single day. But the race is concluded with a 26.9 kilometer slightly undulating individual time trial.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s line-up is made up of Alberto Contador, Roman Kreuziger, Bruno Pires, Jesper Hansen, Jesus Hernandez, Michael Mørkøv, Rory Sutherland and Sergio Paulinho.
 
“Alberto has been showing good form this season and it wouldn’t be natural if I didn’t expect him to deliver another podium performance here in this race. But that doesn’t mean it will be easy," sports director Philippe Mauduit said." I think stage one, the uphill finish on stage four and the time trial will be the key stages.

"The initial stage looks pretty hard and the first mountain stage will always show surprises and we have to stay alert. Not just during this stage but throughout the race because every slope is a cunningly designed launching pads for attacks.
 
A long list of strong profiles are doing the race and among others Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), Tony Martin and Michael Kwiatkowski (Omega-Pharma Quick Step), Fränk and Andy Schleck (Trek Racing), Carlos Betancur and Jean-Christophe Peraud (ALM).