In the confusion of the crash-strewn finish to the first stage of the Tour de France, it was tough to work out exactly who had lost time to whom, as any number of groups trickled across the line. What was clear though was, thanks to being caught behind the first big crash with 9km to go, 2010 race winner Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) lost 1’20” to stage winner Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), which meant losing 1’14” to any number of his big rivals.
The Danish team though, is refusing to panic at this stage of the race, even though Contador now trails last year’s runner up Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) by almost double his winning margin of last year.
“It's one of these unfortunate accidents that often occur in the beginning of the Tour de France,” said Saxo Bank-SunGard manager Bjarne Riis. “Alberto is simply unlucky now to be behind some of his opponents for the overall victory but the Tour has just begun and luckily, there's a long way to go to Paris from here.”
Contador’s teammate Brian Vandborg echoed Riis’ comments, remembering last year’s third stage; the crash of then Saxo Bank rider Fränk Schleck split the peloton on the cobbles of northern France, causing Contador to lose 1’13” – almost exactly the same amount – to Andy Schleck, who had been paced to the finish by cobble specialist Fabian Cancellara.
“When the accident strikes, minutes can easily be lost,” said Vanborg. “But I have faith in Alberto and I believe that he will be back showing what he's best at in the mountains.
“Last year, he lost some time on the stage to Roubaix but he fought his way back and won the race,” he explained. “There are still 20 demanding stages to go and anything can happen.”
While there certainly is a long way to go to Paris, the majority of Contador’s rivals have the Spaniard right where they want him. With many of them poised to take further time in tomorrow’s team time trial, his race defence has become even more of a challenge.