Astana Cycling Team

Alberto Contador today achieved a great result at the pavé stage, where only Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans managed to be better than him, among other reasons for failure of the rear wheel, which was braked in the last 30 kilometers and that prevented him from keeping up of its group in the final kilometer. Nevertheless, Alberto said that the result “is for being happy”, referring to the advantage over other leaders.

The mechanical problem he suffered was the first thing he said after crossing the finish line. "I've gone the last 30 km with the rear wheel absolutely braked so at the end and that I had taken a fall, the result is not so bad”.

On the result of Armstrong he would not comment before knowing the classification and to know the differences, but said it was not a matter of “look at what they have done one or another, but to take advantage of all rivals. The team also has been extraordinary and Vino, impressive".

Alberto explained that, despite knowing that the wheel was not right, he chose to continue rather than stopping to change it. "I knew that if I changed the bike would be much worse and I preferred to continue with the wheel braking. I could not stand up, but hey, we saved the day”.

About the differences obtained today he said that are "not so big, and I have to say the truth, I did not know who was ahead and who was behind. The differences are not insurmountable yet”.

His feelings during the stage were initially "pretty bad. I changed the bike at kilometer 100 and then the feeling was aweful, but after the change I've been feeling better and then with all the tension of pavé, I felt very, very comfortable. With the failure I could not done any relay, could not stand up on the pedals and knew I was spending more energy than normal, but could not stop”, and that's why he lost time in the final kilometer. “I could not do more”, he said.

The rest of the Astana riders managed to finish the stage without problems, except Benjamin Noval, also implicated in the crash of Frank Schleck. The Spaniard suffered a heavy blow on the thumb of his right hand and bruises on his back, and right leg and arm, but his general condition is good and will continue in the race normally.

(Automatic translation. Forgive inaccuracies).