Less than a year into his two year deal with the Saxo Bank SunGard team, Alberto Contador has said that he wishes to prolong his contract with the squad and its owner Bjarne Riis.
“I am very happy to be on this team, and I’d like to stay here longer in the future if Bjarne wants me,” he told the Jyllands-Posten publication.
“I took the best option for me last year. For me it is very important to work together with Bjarne.”
Although he had to be content with fifth overall in the Tour de France, Contador had a very successful first season with the team. He won the Giro d’Italia and took several other victories.
However he also has a hearing in November before CAS, relating to his positive test during last year’s Tour for Clenbuterol, and there is clear uncertainty about his future.
Despite that, Riis appears to hope that the partnership can continue long term.
“This has been very instructive year,” he said. “We must learn to know each other, and I have spent a lot of time analysing him. In addition to the potential he clearly has, I see room for improvement. The next four or five years is where he is physically the strongest. He should have his best years from 28 to 33.”
Riis must decide whether or not to wait until the outcome of the CAS hearing before making a decision. If Contador is found guilty and a two year ban is applied, the rider could be out of action until the end of 2013. However, if he is cleared, Riis knows the rider will be much in demand from other teams, driving his price upwards.