Alberto Contador struggling at the Tour de San Luis 2012
Alberto Contador has started his 2012 campaign at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina. The cyclist has not raced since the Tour de France 2011 and he is currently struggling to find his form at the UCI 2.1 rated event.
Contador was expecting a warmer weather like most of the European riders but was welcomed by dipping temperatures and hammering showers during the opening stages of the race.
He told Marca, “We came for heat and sun, and instead we met with rain and cold. We even had to stop for a moment because of the hailstones. Some of the hailstones that fell were bigger than marbles. It was more complicated than we expected and there was
considerable tension”.
The Spaniard is amongst the three top favourites at the race, among Levi Leipheimer and Vincenzo Nibali.
Contador finished 21st during the first stage, with Levi Leipheimer at 28th and Vincenzo Nibali claiming the 20th position.
Omega Pharma-Quick Step cyclist, Francesco Chicchi achieved the first position after a close finish over Juan Jose Haedo.
The cyclist was lucky to survive the crash during the 189.3 kilometre stage 1 of the race. He explained, “In the finale, I almost had a fall, but I avoided it”.
Contador said, “Then I punctured with about 40km to go, when the peloton was going fast. It was hard to get back on, but in the end we did it, and then we decided on the responsibility of the peloton”.
He finished 45th at the 145.3 kilometre stage 2 of the race and is currently holding the 20th overall position after the stage 2 classifications.
Francesco Chicchi claimed his second consecutive victory at the race with his teammate, Tom Boonen, securing the second position.
Chicchi is now leading the stage 2 classifications and is most likely to bag the overall victory at the race.
Team Movistar is leading the team’s classification with Omega Pharma-Quickstep at second and Team Saxo Bank holding the third overall spot.
Alberto is currently waiting for the final decision on his 2010 Tour de France doping scandal. He was tested positive for Clenbuterol during the event and the final decision on the case is expected by the end of January 2012.
Tags: