Alberto Contador started his 2012 season at the Tour De San Luis
The Spanish cycling star, Alberto Contador, has started his 2012 season with the Tour de San Luis 2012. He joined the Danish side, Saxo Bank-SunGard in 2011 and is continuing his second consecutive season with the team.
Contador finished the opening stage of the Argentinean race at the 21st position and believes that his chances to take the overall victory are very bleak.
The Spaniard is out of practice and has not raced since the Tour de France 2011. He gained 7.5 kilograms and is training hard to ensure his best physical fitness for the coming cycling events.
He explained that it is quite difficult to go for the podium on the final classifications, especially with cyclists like Vincenzo Nibali and Levi Leipheimer at the peak of their career.
The 29-year-old received a tough training at the Saxo Bank camp, in Mallorca, “I have already lost four [kilos] at the Saxo Bank training camp in Mallorca, but to be able to climb fast, you should be at your ideal weight”.
Alberto is considered as one of the best stage race cyclists. He started the Tour De San Luis as one of the favourites amongst Vincenzo Nibali of Team Liquigas-Cannondale and Levi Leipheimer of Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step.
The first stage of the race was claimed by Omega Pharma-Quick Step cyclist, Francesco Chicchi, after a photo finish over Team Saxo Bank’s rider, Juan Jose Haedo.
Jesus Hernandez, Lucas Sebastian, Juan Jose Haedo, Matteo Tosatto, Troels Roenning and Christopher Juul Jensen are representing the Danish side at the UCI 2.1 rated event.
Philippe Mauduit of Team Saxo Bank believes that his side has bright chances to take the overall classifications.
The team is relying on its two sprinters, Juan and Sebastian, to strengthen the sprinting department.
Mauduit cited, “We've put together a very versatile and powerful line-up. For the sprints we have both Haedo brothers and of course they're extremely motivated to perform on home ground and JJ seems very slim and focused”.
The Tour de San Luis will conclude on January 29th. It will be interesting to see if the Spaniard can find his way through the peloton to claim a stage win at the event.
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