Tinkoff-Saxo leader Contador said that he would not be happy with a podium place. He added that he was ready to take any opportunity to seize victory in the Alpine stages of the Tour de France to achieve his goal of a historic Giro-Tour double.
The 2015 Giro d'Italia winner currently sits fifth overall, 4m23 behind race leader Chris Froome. While his statements may be sheer bravado given the time difference he needs to make up, the multiple Tour winner is a noted tactician and cannot be dismissed out of hand.
Contador also flagged that his form is improving as the race goes on.
"I am getting better. Every day I have better sensations, and I am feeling motivated psychologically,” Contador said.
“I believe the peloton is growing weary, and one must be ready to take advantage of any opening.”
“I want to take any opportunity from now to the finish. My objective when I started this Tour was only the victory but I know that some riders, especially one, is very strong at this moment,” Contador said. “At the moment, I am not happy with the podium.
“I will take any opportunities and look at the peloton to see how tired it is and how my legs feel," he added.
"Anything can happen at any moment, including on Alpe d’Huez.”
Contador also said he would be willing to release his power data in the same way as race leader Chris Froome did yesterday, although he appeared unsure how useful that would be in terms of transparency.
If Contador were to win the Tour, he would be the first rider to achieve the Giro-Tour double since Marco Pantani in 1998.
