Today Alberto Contador returned to competition after the Vuelta a Espana when he aimed at repeating his 2012 win in Milan-Turin. However, the Spaniard had to settle for 6th in the race that also saw Roman Kreuziger make his comeback.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador demonstrated fine form prior to this weekend’s Giro di Lombardia as he finished 6th in today’s Italian one-day race, Milano-Torino. Contador finished in a chase group entering the uphill finish line moments behind the race winner, Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha).

Unfortunately, the Tinkoff-Saxo captain didn’t make it in the crucial breakaway that took off during the final kilometers of the race and was forced on the chase with a group consisting of the double winner of the race, Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) and Fabio Aru (Astana).

However, they never made the junction and in the uphill sprint, Caruso took race glory while Contador had to settle for 6th. Nevertheless, the Tinkoff-Saxo captain seems strong and ready to fight for overall 2014 World Tour success this weekend.

Sports director Fabrizio Guidi comments:

“This was Alberto’s first race since the Vuelta and naturally, he has to get back in to the rhythm but he was actually doing tremendously well considering. He had to close down a few gaps on the final slope but wasn’t in the final and crucial break. But he’s where he’s supposed to be physically.

"It was also great to have Roman back on the team. And even though he’s been away from racing since June, he worked hard for Alberto until hitting the foot of the final climb and he finished in the bunch. Now, we’re looking forward to Giro di Lombardia,” concludes Guidi.