Astana Cycling Team

“It was another day marked by the heat”, said Alberto Contador on the finish line explaining the tactics of Astana. “We took the responsibility because we have seen that Lance was behind and the rest was pretty just”.

Alberto was very happy with the work of their team mates and, in particular, Dani Navarro. “In the last climb has done an extraordinary work, has been incredible, because everyone was on the limit. Perhaps we have been too much in front on the wind. When they started to attack, I could contest well, but then Andy Schleck has attacked and has caught me a bit behind, I made the attempt to goo, but when I see that they took some meters, I prefered to sit and wait for people coming from behind. Finally we have lost a few seconds but the result is good, the team is good and my sensations are good, although I had the impression that I had a little trouble to breath with this heat. Now I’ll rest and come back again on Tuesday to battle”.

About Lance Armstrong said he had lost a lot of time. “I haven’t seen yet the overall, but it seems that he lost many minutes, although there is still more than enough stages to attack”.

About Andy Schleck he said he becomes the most dangerous rival. “He was very good. Last year he put me into troubles and this year will be the most difficult rival on the mountains”. And also congratulated Samuel Sбnchez. “I am delighted that he has been ahead. We're great friends. I’m happy for him, because it now seems that things are going well”.

Finally, Alberto made a first analysis of this stage. “It has become so hard and there were so much differences due to the tremendous heat. We've been at 35 or 40 C degrees with high humidity. Where I live in Madrid also is very hot, but is totally different, here you can drink 10 or 12 liters of water a day”. And then, he will supported the Spanish national soccer team. “Now I will stand in front the TV like any other Spaniard encouraging the Red”.

Photo: (c) Jacinto Vidarte

Press Conference

Alberto Contador will offer a press conference Monday morning, rest day, at 15:00 pm in the Astana team hotel (Chalet Au Coin du Feu, Les Prodains 74 110 Morzine. T: 0450790321)