The Classics may be dominating the headlines at present, but away from the spotlight, the contenders for the Tour de France have been continuing their preparation for July. A little under three months from the Grand Départ at Mont-Saint-Michel, Cyclingnews takes a look at how some of the favourites for yellow have fared thus far.
Alberto Contador (Tinkoff)
As if victory at the Tour of the Basque Country wasn’t enough of an indicator, Alberto Contador highlighted his fine early-season form by confirming that he will almost certainly continue his professional career into 2017, having previously suggested he might retire at the end of the current season.
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The 33-year-old Contador has been the stand-out performer of the top echelon of contenders thus far. A stage winner at the Volta ao Algarve, Contador almost snatched victory from Geraint Thomas (Sky) on a breathless final day of Paris-Nice, and was bettered only by Nairo Quintana (Movistar) at the Volta a Catalunya.
Contador is no longer the same explosive rider of the 2009 Tour, but his campaign to date closely mirrors his fast start to 2014, which was his best season since his doping ban of 2012. If his invention almost landed him Paris-Nice, his pragmatism won out in the Basque Country, as he dosed his effort well day by day, and then won the final time trial to deny Quintana.
Best moment: Contador’s daring attack on the final day of Paris-Nice didn’t quite land him overall victory but it showed that his penchant for turning a race on its head remains undimmed.
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