Alberto Contador handled a tricky stage 17 of the Vuelta a Espana well and is now going into three hilly stages and a time trial. The Spaniard fears Joaquim Rodriguez and Alejandro Valverde in tomorrow's summit finish.

Stage 17 of Vuelta a España was concluded in a bunch sprint without changes in the overall classification after 190.7 kilometers of racing in the undulating terrain of Galicia. Tinkoff-Saxo and team leader Alberto Contador got through the stage safely and saved as much energy as possible for the final four stages of Vuelta a España. Sport director Steven de Jongh was happy with the outcome.
 
“It was a good day for us. In the beginning we took control and let a small group go away. Then, immediately, the sprinter teams such as Giant-Shimano started to work and as a result we didn’t keep the control throughout the day, saving a bit of energy. After that, Omega Pharma - Quick-Step and Orica-GreenEdge started to pull. The group came back in the final kilometer and we just protected Alberto."
 
With 14 kilometers to go, crucial helper Daniele Bennati had a flat tire, but managed to get back into the speeding bunch to help Alberto through the last tricky kilometers.
 
“Bennati had a flat tire. He was the guy that was planned to be with Alberto on the cobblestone section. Nevertheless, the team did a good job, brought him back and Alberto was in a safe place. That was the most important thing for us," added Steven de Jongh.

Today’s stage came after a well-deserved rest day, where the riders had the opportunity to recover from the mountainous stages of the second week. But it also featured a challenge, as the sensitive race-rhythm can easily be disturbed. Danish champion Michael Valgren commented:
 
“Coming from a rest day, it was quite hard for me at the start. I had to dig deep in the first climb to get going but afterwards my legs got much better and by the end I had full power. I definitely look forward to the final four days of the Vuelta. It was a fast and day with many hills and short climbs. It was hard to control the race and you could see that, because we caught the breakaway with four kilometers to go. I think the team did a good job and brought Alberto safely to the finish. That was the main goal," concluded Michael Valgren.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s team leader Alberto Contador crossed the finish line of stage 17 at Vuelta a España together with his main rivals in the GC. After the stage, Alberto Contador commented that today was tricky after coming back from the rest day.
 
“Today was a transition day. There was a lot of tension in the finale with the cobblestone section, which didn’t look difficult, but it was complicated and it was important to be well positioned. It’s late in the race and if somebody in front of you can’t hang on, you can quickly lose time," stated Alberto Contador.
 
With four stages remaining at the Vuelta a España, the race has entered the absolute finale.

“Every day is important. Tomorrow's race has a finish that fits Joaquim and Alejandro quite well. I have to stay close to them and see how my legs respond. They are interested in the stage win and I will have to follow them."
 
Contador tells that his knee injury has now disappeared after gradually improving throughout the Vuelta.
 
“My knee problems have completely disappeared and my form has improved incredibly. I think I'm still improving or maybe it's the confidence that I have gained during the race. However, I feel pretty good and hopefully I can hold on until Santiago.

“There was an incredible atmosphere today in Galicia. I’ve seen my name quite a lot on road sides. I said yesterday that I wouldn’t take part in the world championship. It's a decision i took with [national coach] Javier Minguez. It's a decision that I spoke with Javier Minguez. I think we need to have the best possible team for the national team instead of the biggest names. Often the problem is to bring too many big names, but in the moment of truth you need riders who can work and do a good job. 

“The Worlds is not suited at all to my characteristics, I am a rider of big tours. I wish the Worlds were a race of five days, then it would be completely different for me. I have seen in some media that I don’t want to go to the Worlds because I have a bad relationship with Valverde and Purito. Nothing is further from reality. Our relationship is perfect. 

"Last year I did my jpb as best as I could in Italy and when I talked to Javier Minguez, I told him that he had no obligation to select me. He should give my place to a rider who can do a better job than me.

"In this selection there is a clear leader with more options, namely Valverde, and we have to support him to the maximum. It's a lot of pressure on him and he should have the confidence from the public must have people of his confidence. There are riders better than me. The Worlds are in Spain and the fans may find it hard to understand that I’m not there, but it is a sporting matter”.

"After the Vuelta, I’ll take some rest and decide with the team if I take part in other races later this season or not. We want to use the year to the fullest but first I need to finish the Vuelta and then I will decide if I will put an end to an intense season or do more races.

"Possibly I’ll finish the year as world’s number 1. Shall I win the Vuelta, it would win I’ve finished in the top 2 of all the races I’ve completed this year. I cannot ask for more. Apart from the problem in the Tour where I didn't get the chance to see how far I could come, it has been a perfect season. The level all year has been exceptional."