With time to gain back on overall favorites Cadel Evans, Frank and Andy Schleck, and even Thomas Voeckler, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) has stated that he needs to use the Alps to pull closer to his rivals before Saturday’s time trial. Contador’s climbing specialist teammates Chris Anker Sorensen, Daniel Navarro, and Jesus Hernandez will be hoping to provide the help necessary to put their leader in a solid position for overall victory.
Sorensen, who sheltered Contador on the lower slopes of Plateau de Beille during stage 14 to eventually cross the line in 20th place, indicated readiness and relaxation after an easy ride on the Tour's second rest day. “I have just been taking in the landscape and allowed the legs a day off after high heart-rate intervals. It is food for the body and soul to be this privileged, getting to enjoy a ride in the rolling terrain through the vineyards at the foot of the Alps. It is important to be mentally and physically ready for the final week,” he acknowledged.
Sorensen also echoed the readiness of his team leader. “Alberto told me that he’s feeling better every day and we’re all here to support him through the final and crucial kilometers to Paris. The main objective is still the same – overall victory.”
The veteran Hernandez, who has been a professional since 2004, also has a positive outlook on the mountainous final week. “We are ready and psyched,” he confirmed. “Things are going to play out in the Alps. We cannot wait for Saturday (and the time trial), we must attack soon.”
Navarro is perhaps not on the same form as last year when he won a stage of the Criterium du Dauphine just before the Tour. He was able to work for long stretches to decimate the peloton for Contador when the duo rode together on team Astana. But the Spaniard still has full confidence in his compatriot. “Alberto is on the level of other years, and he believes in his chances,” Navarro said. “We saw him reach Plateau de Beille in better condition.”
Contador’s domestiques will look to keep him surrounded during tomorrow’s medium mountain stage, a 162 kilometer run to Gap, with the category two Col de Manse cresting just 11 km from the finish.
“Alberto is confident, and he has no doubt that he can win,” Navarro says. “He told us to trust him, and when a leader tells you that, confidence spreads to the whole team.”