Alberto Contador still aiming for the podium of the Vuelta

Currently ninth in the Vuelta, Alberto Contador still hopes to get on the podium of the last race of his career.

Although Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) is still about two minutes behind the current third, Ilnur Zakarin still thinks of the podium of the Vuelta, a race that marks the end of his career. "Obviously it will be complicated and difficult to finish on the podium but there are still some important steps and we will see what I can do," said the Spaniard at a press conference on Monday.

On Tuesday, the timed event in Logroño is one of the turning points of this Vuelta: the only individual time trial of the event (40.2 km). Running on a virtually flat ground in the Rioja vineyards, it can nevertheless allow Froome to take off to the general. "This stage suits him perfectly," Contador said. "Tuesday night, depending on the result, I would decide to go for the podium or keep for a single goal a stage victory," he explained.

On Sunday, during the short 15th stage (129 km), which ended at an altitude of over 2,500 meters, Contador was once on the virtual podium of the Vuelta, but the Spaniard finally lost 40 seconds on the leader of this 2017 edition. "I wanted to be strong but Sky has a very strong team," said Contador. There is nothing to regret, it is my way of running. Whatever the result, what I like in this Vuelta is to enjoy it as I benefit! It is an honour for me. I could not choose a better opportunity to say goodbye. This Vuelta is a gift for me. "