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Contador says rainy conditions probably kept rivals from attacking

By Ryland James - AFP
Published: Jul. 17, 2009

Alberto Contador of Astana admitted Friday's cold and rain-hit 13th stage of the Tour de France had hindered his rivals' plans to claim back lost time.

However Spain's 2007 champion and current race favorite warned that attacks are sure to come in the Alps.

"It was a bad day for the weather today, but it was good from our point of view that no-one attacked us, because it made things more relaxed," said Contador, second overall at 06sec behind race Italian leader Rinaldo Nocentini.

Despite the challenging Col de la Schlucht and the Col du Platzerwasel, neither key yellow jersey-rivals Andy Schleck or Cadel Evans attacked Astana's top riders on Friday.

But with the Alps beckoning, starting with Sunday's 207.5km Alpine route into Swiss ski resort Verbier, Contador fully expects that his team will be put to the test.

"The problem is that we are a strong team and the stages up until now have not been so good to attack," added the Spaniard.

"There have been not a lot of climbs and difficult parts, but in the next few days we will face more attacks for sure.

"Now we have to wait for Sunday's stage, the climb into Verbier is 8km long and it is a little bit more difficult than Andorra."

Luxembourg's Schleck is at 1:49 behind Nocentini, defending champion Carlos Sastre is at 2:52 while Australia's two-time runner-up Evans is at 3:07.

With Contador second overall, and teammate Lance Armstrong third Astana appear to be in a strong position to control the race, and thus force their rivals on the offensive.

But Contador says there is no room for complacency.

"I am not looking at our rivals thinking they are weak, in fact, I think the opposite, we have some very strong opponents," said Contador.

"For me Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans are the real danger.

"Sastre also has to be watched, he rides at the back of the group of leaders, but I think he is a rider who is always strong in the last week and is a danger to us."

Astana team boss Johan Bruyneel also said he expects the battle for the yellow jersey to warm up in the Alps as the Tour moves into its third and final week.

"I think it will be quiet again on Saturday, but Sunday will be another story with the tough climb into Verbier," said the Belgian.

"It was okay today, we thought it would be a complicated day, but nobody attacked.

"We were expecting something from Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans' teammates, but nobody really came.

"It was cold and days like this are not ideal to attack."

As the weather conditions neutralized the yellow jersey battle, Australian-born German Heinrich Haussler, who rides for Cervelo, won his maiden stage on the race.