Alberto Contador want to race and win this year the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France. If he succeeds, he will be the rider since Marco Pantani in 1998 to win these grand tours in the same year. Nicolas Roche is now racing with rival Team Sky, understands his ambition. 

“It’s great to see that he’s aiming for the double. Alberto is someone who likes to prove he can do the impossible. He’s won nine grand tours [seven after disqualifications from the 2010 Tour and 2011 Giro], so winning one more or one less isn’t going to change that much for him,” Roche told VeloNews. “Doing something that people is say is impossible, that’s a good challenge for him. He finds motivation in that.”

He added that a lot of things have changed since 1980s and when his dad was rider. “Yes, my dad did it. Those were different times. Now, the general level is much higher, and the way the racing [is] much different,” Roche continued. “Back in the day, you had 10 or 15 guys who were winning all season long. Today, there are 30-40 guys who can win races. Not the Tour. Realistically, there are only three or four who can win the Tour, but every other race, there are 30 to 40 guys who can win.”

Now, Nicolas Roche will focus on Paris-Nice. He explained that his debut this season was difficult. “I had a bit of an infection early on this month, and it took me out a bit. I did a great winter, so it’s a question before the legs come back. My plan is to back up Richie and G (Geraint Thomas) at Paris-Nice, and I know that I am in much better for in the second part. Slowly but surely, no panic.”