“A Tour without Contador is like Roland Garros without Nadal or Furmiula 1 without Alonso,” says Olympic champion
After taking fourth place in this year’s Tour de France, only losing his podium place in the penultimate day’s time trial, Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) has made the race one of his main targets of 2011. In an interview with biciciclismo.com, the Olympic champion spoke about what he saw as his own chances, and his thoughts on this year’s winner having to miss the race.
“The Tour is the best race in the World,” said Sanchez, “and you can’t compare anything else to it. There are many different factors; every year many of us riders prepare better and are a year older. The route changes every year and it’s always hard; you never know.”
Although 2010 winner Alberto Contador’s case has yet to be decided, the Tour champion’s positive test for clenbuterol may well see him suspended from next year’s race. For Sanchez, the removal of the top favourite for victory would be detrimental to the race, even though it would make it harder for him to win.
“Of the last four Tours he has won the three that he has ridden,” he said, “and so he’s earned his heavily favoured status. Honestly I’d prefer it if he is on the starting line; a Tour without Contador would be like a Roland Garros without Nadal, or Formula 1 without Alonso.”
Sanchez’ 2010 schedule did not include his home Grand Tour, the Vuelta a España, with the Olympic champion opting for the two new Canadian ProTour races ahead of his journey to Australia for the World Championships. Should circumstances treat him differently in 2011 though, Sanchez’ participation would not be out of the question.
“I’ve nothing against it,” he said, “of course I would ride it, but you have to go one step at a time. According to the rumours it will be a very tough Vuelta with new unused finishes. If I go, is to try to win; I was second in 2009, less than a minute behind a great rider like [Alejandro] Valverde, and third in 2007.
“We will have to wait and see how it goes at the Tour and the team has other riders who can do very well,” he added.
With Euskaltel-Euskadi teammate Igor Antón likely to be aiming at the Vuelta, after crashing out in the lead this year, Sanchez will likely throw everything he’s got at the tour.