Tinkoff-Saxo and team captain Alberto Contador defended the overall lead on the final stage of Route du Sud setting the pace at the front of the peloton throughout the stage. Upon crossing the finish line, Alberto Contador and the squad had secured Tinkoff-Saxo’s second consecutive win at Route du Sud, 17 seconds in front of Tour rival Nairo Quintana. “I will keep my focus on my preparations”, says Alberto Contador.

After four days of racing in Southern France, Alberto Contador was proclaimed the winner of Route du Sud on the podium in Gaillac following a team effort to control the race.

"I'm happy with this victory at the Route du Sud but this doesn't change anything in view of the Tour de France. It would be a mistake to change the mindset right now, thinking that this win would give me more confidence. It was a hot day and it was about controlling the race and defending our position. The entire team worked hard and I'd like to thank everybody for their effort. I feel proud of them. We still have another 13 days until the start of the Tour de France and I will keep my focus on my preparation, in order to reach the start in the best shape possible”, says Alberto Contador.

"I was hoping to win here and I managed to do so. However, I am still not totally confident before the Tour de France which is my next goal. I will now focus on my recovery before starting in Utrecht on July 4. I'm going to skip the Spanish Championships and rest as much as possible."

Stage 4 from Revel to Gaillac saw Tinkoff-Saxo at the front of the bunch in an attempt to control the events. The breakaway of the day was caught within the final part of the 166km parcours and Tinkoff-Saxo passed the front to the sprinters going into the final kilometers. Patxi Vila, team sports director, notes that the stage was harder than expected.

"Although it would appear it was an easy final stage it turned out harder than expected. It took more effort to bring back the breakaway but all in all we are, obviously, happy with the result. It has been a good and fruitful week. We came with two main objectives, to win the queen stage and have a good GC position. Alberto won both the stage and the race, so it is a result that satisfies us. Alberto was in good shape and, hopefully, he will keep his form until the Tour. However, it is still too early and we expect his rivals to be strong. His victory is the result of a very hard and dedicated work by the entire squad, especially in the two last stages", finishes Patxi Vila.