Tinkoff-Saxo have announced their line-up and outlined their plans for the Route du Sud, a crucial preparation race for Alberto Contador ahead of the Tour de France.
The four-day race will be the first competitive outing for Contador, and a couple of his key domestiques, since winning the Giro d’Italia. The Spaniard recently admitted to still feeling the fatigue of the Giro, and faces a challenge to sharpen his condition if he is to pull off his Giro-Tour double goal.
“It's the first race after the Giro for Alberto Contador, Ivan Basso and Michael Rogers and these three riders need to compete before the Tour," said Tinkoff-Saxo sports director Patxi Vila in a press release from the team. "The main objective for Tinkoff-Saxo is that they compete and enter into race-mode once again. After nearly three weeks of break they have to get into the mindset of a competition."
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The opening two stages of the French race are suited to sprinters but the third is the queen stage with three first-category climbs, including the Port de Balès. It is there that we should see a true indication of Contador’s form.
"He will, obviously, fight to be in the front and being a very competitive athlete, we don't rule out the possibility that he might try to go for a stage win," said Vila. "However, there will be other, fresher, riders from other teams that will give their best because the GC will most probably be decided there."
Tinkoff-Saxo won the race overall last year through Nicolas Roche, who has since moved to Team Sky.
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