Contador eyes Vuelta, rues Le Tour

The Astana rider continues to lurk behind the leaders after the first week of racing in the Tour of Spain.

Eight days of racing have passed in this year's Vuelta and with the cream already rising to the top, you don't have to be Einstein to realise who is going to win in Madrid.

Alberto Contador has already got victory in his sights after moving into second place behind Levi Leipheimer - and there are two weeks of racing still to be played out.

How good is Contador, furthermore how good is Astana?

To be denied an opportunity to expose this team of top talent in the Tour de France last July was a travesty.

I'm sure this outfit would have given CSC a run for it's money, but we'll never know.

Either way, the final outcome may have been different for Cadel Evans - whether he would have finished runner-up is questionable.

That's why so many critics believe Evans may have blown any chance of snaring cycling's top race as most of his big-name rivals will be back bigger and better in 2009.

These include the re-appearance of Contador and Leipheimer who would have served their TDF "punishment."

Back to the Vuelta.

My pre-race prediction was for Contador to win the three week race and there's nothing to suggest otherwise.

His performance so far poses one question - would Contador have beaten Sastre in the 2008 Tour de France?

Tell us what you think.