Eurosport - Mon, 16 Feb 13:55:00 2009
Giro and Vuelta champion Alberto Contador, who is starting his season with the Tour of Algarve on Wednesday, believes he has never been so strong in his career.
The 26-year-old Spaniard, who is only one of the five riders with Tour de France, Giro and Vuelta victories, has targeted the Tour as his season's main objective.
"I believe I will improve again this season because I have been better during training this year than the ones before," Contador said. "I am surprised by the way my body is responding."
Contador, who completed a Giro-Vuelta double last year, also won the Tour de France in 2007 but was not invited to the 2008 race because of his Astana team's past doping record.
He is set to ride with new team mate Lance Armstrong for the first time during this year's Tour and he unsurprisingly named the Americain as one of his main rivals.
"There will also be the Schleck brothers (Frank and Andy), Denis Menchov, Cadel Evans, although I cannot name all of them," he said.
The Tour of Algarve starts on Wednesday and ends on Sunday.
Comment 1 - 5 of 5
i think he wil go on 2 b one of the greatest eva! astana are by far the strongest team and if they work together i cant see anyone getting close
He's the best cyclist in the world at the moment and will go on to be one of the ALL time greats. He is up there already! He will win the Tour this year unless hindered (sick, crash etc...). In reference to the article Cadel Evans and Denis Menchov will never win the tour because they can't climb well enough. Andy Schleck is going to be Contadors main rival in the years to come, but not this year.
He will NOT win!! you'll see
the others don't have a chance
go on my son!
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