Contador returning to form as Tour de France approaches

Alberto Contador used the opening stage of the Tour de Sud to test his legs, lungs and motivation ahead of the Tour de France.

Recovery from the Giro d'Italia appears to be going to plan for Tinkoff-Saxo's Alberto Contador (Getty Images) Source: AFP

The winner of the 2015 Giro d’Italia finished 10th in the 204km stage from Lourdes to Auch and reported that he is happy with the form he felt on the bike as the Grande Boucle draws closer by the day.

"It was the first day of racing after the Giro and a relatively quiet stage,” said the Tinkoff-Saxo rider.

“There was a breakaway at the start of the stage, while Europcar together with us, controlled the group.

“We decided to have a rider to collaborate in the front of the group so that we could have some control of the race. At the end, it turned out to be more difficult because of the undulating terrain but I felt in good shape.”

At this stage in his Tour de France preparation, staying safe from any crashes is far more important than racing for the podium in this lead-up event.

“In the final 500 metres, that were uphill, I decided to move to the front,” said Contador. “With so few days left until the start of the Tour de France, it is better to be in the front in order to minimize the risks of a crash.

“Being my first contact with a competition after the Giro, it was a long stage, (nearly) 220km long. It proved very useful in order to ramp up after a break of nearly three weeks and all in all the sensation I had today was good.”

Contador’s tenth place finish saw him cross the line safely with the main bunch, three seconds behind Steven Tronet (Auber 93) who took the Stage One win in 4hr 59min 41sec.