Contador expects test
ByReuters
Published 22/10/2008 at 13:39 GMT
Former champion Alberto Contador has given the route announced for the 2009 Tour de France his approval but warned the penultimate stage climb to Mont Ventoux would present a severe test for any leader.
CYCLING 2008 vuelta alberto contador astana
Image credit: Imago
The Spaniard, who won the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta this year, was unable to defend his Tour title after his Astana team were not invited because of their past doping record.
"I like this Tour de France," Contador, triumphant on the French roads in 2007, said.
"I really think that everything will be decided before the Mont Ventoux but for the one wearing the yellow jersey at this moment, there will be a terrible pressure.
"In the head, it will be extremely tough."
The outcome of the Tour de France is usually decided in the final time trial but next year, the solo effort against the clock will take place three days before the arrival in Paris.
The peloton will have to climb up the intimidating Mont Ventoux two stages later at a 7.6 average gradient over 21.2km, in a day that could hurt even the best climbers.
Seven-times winner Lance Armstrong, who is coming out of retirement after a three-year break, never won at the summit of the "Provence Giant" in five combined attempts on the Dauphine Libere race and the Tour.
Contador, who said earlier this year that Armstrong's arrival at Astana could cause a leadership problem within the team, declined to comment when asked about the American's plans.
The Spaniard, arguably the best stage-race rider in the world, added: "the more I look at the map, the more I like it (the route).
"The individual time trials are shorter than usual and I will not lose a lot of time.
"There is also this wonderful finish in Barcelona (stage 6) that makes me dream, at the summit of the Montjuic hill where I won when I was young. To do it again would be fantastic."
This year's winner, Carlos Sastre of Spain, said the route was so tough he would "not even think of winning."
"There are some tough passes but also very hard parts between the mountain stages.
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