Alberto Contador's return to racing has proved to be virtually seamless so far following a period of controversy since his third Tour de France win that could rival arguably any rider in history. The Spaniard finished a notable third place on Friday on the Altdo do Malhao in the third stage of the Volta ao Algarve. While it wasn't the win of a year ago, Contador still looks primed for a good shot at taking his third straight Algarve title. He currently sits in second place, six seconds behind Team Sky's Steve Cummings.
Looking back on his second test of 2011, likely a distant second to the major test he managed to improbably escape from, Contador was content.
"Today was very good. I am happy with the result, because I could race at the front. And although I was third, I fought until the end," said the Pinto native following his third place finish on feltet.dk.
While everyone will be quick to point out any number of supposed indicators from Contador's performance on the day's finishing climb, Contador doesn't put too much stock in his ride, pointing out that "it was a short climb and with everything that happened before the race, I am very happy with the outcome."
Along with the short finishing climb, Contador is quick to note that he's a bit behind in the 2011 racing sweepstakes. As his first race of the season, it would always be a bit difficult, but considering the situation from whence he just emerged from, it's altogether more impressive.
"I notice that some of the riders already have some racing kilometers in their legs, and there are some riders who can ride a good time trial on the last day. It will be hard to take the overall victory, because they are very strong."
Looking ahead to Sunday's decisive 17.2 kilometer time trial, Contador has a tough furrow to plough. If he's not 100% on his game, he'll likely find at least one other rider who will be able to beat him. Current leader, Cummings is no slouch on a time trial bike, but third placed, Tony Martin, who is ten seconds behind Cummings and four seconds distant of Contador, is one of the world's best, and along with Contador, one of the few riders who can lay claim to defeating Fabian Cancellara in his prime.
"We are all very close with Tony Martin, but also Cummings and Van Garderen can all do good time trials, and they are all within 10 seconds. I will do like today and do my best, and then we will see what the outcome will be."
Win or lose, Contador seems to just be happy to be back racing his bike for his new Saxo Bank team. He admits to suffering at some points, but the apparent relief to be back racing seems to trump the pained sensations. He refers to his infamous case, but won't mention it specifically. It seems like this will be a common practice in the weeks and months to come.
"I enjoyed it fully, even though on several occasions it really hurt my legs. I enjoy this race after all the stress and all those thoughts about other things that I've been through."
As for his new team? Contador had nothing but praise for his Saxo Bank team.
"The team has been fantastic all the time. They worked when I needed it, and I'm thrilled to be on this team."
Tomorrow, Contador and the rest of the GC contenders will get a relatively mild stage, but one that will still require attention. The easier profile is still anything but flat, and the final third of the day is decidedly lumpy. The real question is whether the field will stay together for a bunch kick, or can a break get away on the final part of the day's rigors. It seems highly unlikely that any of the overall contenders will be put under duress though, so the race will probably head into Sunday's race finishing time trial in the same position they're now in: Cummings in the lead, Contador second, Martin third, Van Garderen fourth.