Christopher Froome is the Vuelta a Espana favourite: Alberto Contador
Alberto Contador is a definitely one of a pre-race favourite to secure an overall victory at the third and the final Grand Tour race of the season, the Vuelta a Espana 2012.
However, the Spaniard has casted his vote in the favour of Christopher Froome after seeing his invincible form throughout the season.
Froome rode brilliantly right through the start of the year and his performance during the Tour de France has earned him much respect.
The cyclist claimed the seventh stage of the race along with the polka dot jersey during the stage eight of the event.
He fell 3 minutes and 21 seconds short of his team-mate Bradley Wiggins and occupied the second overall position at the race with Vincenzo Nibali holding the third spot.
Froome finished third during the Olympics time trial event and grabbed the bronze medal with the fourth overall position at the Criterium du Dauphine 2012.
While commenting on Froome’s current form, Contador cited, "Froome showed last year that he could have won the Vuelta, where he had the freedom to do so," Contador told his official website.
"In this year's Tour de France he showed a spectacular performance and proved that he was the strongest”.
“I think Froome comes [to the Vuelta] with a goal to win, and he will be a tough competitor to beat".
"The Eneco Tour was a good preparation for the Vuelta," he said. "And I had a good feeling, even though the route was completely flat”.
“When it comes to the Vuelta a España, the goal is to fight for victory”.
On the other hand, Contador marked a perfect return to the professional cycling at the Eneco Tour and managed to secure the fourth overall position at the race.
Lars Boom claimed the first overall position after the final general classifications at the race after his splendid performance during the seven-day race.
Sylvain Chavanel of Team Omega Pharma-Quickstep finished 26 seconds behind at the second position with his team-mate Niki Terpstra holding the third position respectively.
It will be interesting to see, if the Spaniard manages to claim an overall victory at the Vuelta a Espana 2012 scheduled from scheduled between August 18 to September 9, 2012.
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