Alberto Contador‘s analysis  of his 2013 season so far, including fourth overall in the Tour de France, is not entirely positive if the Spanish climber is to be believed.

“It has been a different season compared to other years, but I have had a good level, I have always been in second, third or fourth place in the races. It is true that what is expected of me is the victory and I understand it. I missed that little extra which makes you convert good places into wins, but I must be calm, focus on doing well the end of the year and make a good schedule for next year and try to convert positions into victories.  With regards to the Tour, fourth place was not what I wanted, of course, but I know that the competition was very hard and there are times when you can win and times when you can’t. Everyone is prepared to maximum and this year one man, Froome, was above the rest. I found myself not quite right, but I gave the maximum, although it was not enough. I'll use this result as an extra motivation to try to be stronger next year.”

Contador also revealed that he is trying to follow and watch the Tour of Spain, rooting for his team mates and observing the favourites.

“In so far as trainings allow me, I try to follow it, especially my Saxo-Tinkoff team mates. They've got two wins with Nicolas Roche and Michael Mørkøv and we have riders that can make it to the top of the GC. It is a very strong team and more wins will come.”

Speaking of his plans for next year Contador said he has decided on which races to target but he is not ready to reveal his goals just yet.

“It is too soon to speak about my objectives for the 2014 season, but the truth is that I have them in my head already.”