Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) is looking towards tomorrow’s Queen stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y León between Benavente and Laguna de Peces as an important step towards the defence of his title. The three-time race winner is in search of his fourth title in the five day race, but recognises that a strong performance in Saturday’s time trial will also be vital.
Tomorrow’s stage finishes at the top of the 1740m Laguna de los Peces, just as it did on the mountain stage two years ago.
“It’s not a hard climb,” said Contador. “I remember it from 2009 when I was helping Levi Leipheimer, who was then my teammate, but you can’t make much [time] difference there.”
The stage in 2009 was won by Juan Jose Cobo, but teammates Contador and Leipheimer both finished in a small chase group just 9 seconds back. The American held on to his race lead and went on to win the race, 16 seconds ahead of Contador.
Just as it was for Leipheimer in 2009, Contador recognises how important the time trial will be in the current edition, even though it is only 11.2km in length and completely flat.
“Victory in this race will be the result of tomorrow’s result and Saturday’s time trial,” he said. “Tomorrow is a good day for many riders; there are tough rivals such as [Xavier] Tondo, Igor Antón, [Jérôme] Coppel and others. After these first two days my sensations are good, but not super. Tomorrow we shall see, I'm not at top form, but I hope to be with the people in front.”
Although the race lead is currently held by Movistar rider Francisco Ventoso, who has won both stages so far, Contador’s Saxo Bank-SunGard took control of the peloton for much of the second stage; ensuring that the breakaway didn’t take too much time and could be caught before the finish.
“I'm happy because my team has been extraordinary once more,” said Contador. “We had to take full responsibility, as usual, almost to the finish line. I wish other teams worked as well, but hey, I give a 10 to my team”.