Alberto Contador has already revealed that he won't defend his Giro d'Italia title in 2016. Instead, he points to Vincenzo Nibali as the rider to beat in Italy.

The 2016 season is likely to be the final year of Alberto Contador's career and he aims to end it on a high with another win at the Tour de France and possibly a fourth victory in the Vuelta a Espana too. Hence, it will be left to Rafal Majka to lead the Tinkoff-Saxo campaign in Italy next sprint.

Nonetheless, Contador did his job as the defending champion by attending today's presentation of the course for the 2016 race. Knowing that he won't be at the start in Apeldoorn in May, he could analyze the diverse course and it's three time trials and seven mountain stages and he was clear when asked to point to a favourite.

“It’ll be a tough race, it’s always a hard race and will be especially so with three time trials and also with high mountains. With the weather in May, they’re always hard stages,” he told reporters, including one from Cyclingnews.

“I don’t think there’s a key stage to any Grand Tour - you always have to be ready, be consistent, and take every opportunity. The first mountain finish is always an important indication of who is going well. I took the pink jersey on stage five, which showed I was on form and boosted my confidence.

“I think it suits riders for the big Tours, I think it’s perfect for Nibali."

Contador also elaborated on his decision not to defend his title.

“It will actually be hard to watch it on television, but I want to go to the Tour with a guarantee of doing well and so I think it’s better if I don’t do the Giro,” he said.

Contador, Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana have all confirmed that they will skip the Italian grand tour while Nibali has done nothing to hide that he wants to return to the race for the first time since winning it in 2013.