Contador issues video apology to Schleck and fans

Alberto Contador, Tour de France 2010, stage 15

Tour de France leader Alberto Contador has issued an apology to rival Andy Schleck after seemingly capitalising on the Saxo Bank rider's chain problems on the Port de Bales (stage 15) which ultimately relieved Schleck of the race lead.

Schleck had launched at attack on Contador in the final 3km of the climb, but unshipped his chain whilst changing gear. As he dismounted to fix the problem, Contador, Denis Menchov and Samuel Sanchez appeared to accelerate and ride away from Schleck. 

The trio then sped down Port de Bales to come across the line 39 seconds ahead of the furious Schleck, and put Contador in the yellow jersey.

The unwritten rule is that rivals should not attack the race leader if they are suffering from a mechanical problem. Contador said immediately afterwards that he hadn't realised Schleck had suffered a mechanical. The Spaniard has drawn a lot of criticism for the action and has felt moved to broadcast an apology.

"Today I made the podium, and I am happy about that," said Contador in the video shot from his hotel room. "But there's a problem with the circumstances. Just when I attacked, Andy had a mechanical problem on the last climb."

"The race was on and maybe I made a mistake. I'm sorry."

"In these moments all you think about is to go as fast as you can," continued Contador. "I'm disappointed in the sense that fair play is very important, as I did in the stage to Spa when both Andy and Frank got unhitched from the group, I didn't hesitate to stop the peloton until they could re-join."

"I received much criticism from people for doing that after the cobblestons stage when after teh fall the pack was cut and Andy took advantage of me."

"I don't like things like what happened today, I'm not like that, and I hope the relationship that I have with Andy can go back to being as good as it was before this happened."

Tour de France 2010: Latest news

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Wiggins at 2010 Tour: "I haven't got it"

Basso wins Tour's acceptance; podium spot next goal

Contador versus Schleck: A game of seconds

Can Cav win without Renshaw?

Hesjedal pushing his way to the Tour's top

Renshaw disqualification overshadows Cavendish's win

Charly Wegelius pulls out of Tour

Did Armstrong own a stake in Tailwind Sports, or not?

Cavendish in a 'must win' situation for Tour's green jersey

Millar rides through pain barrier to make time cut

Roche alongside Tour's top men ahead of Pyrenees

Wiggins to aim for Tour de France stage win?

Dan Lloyd battles on in Tour despite groin strain

Tour de France 2010: Stage reports

Stage 15: Victorious Voeckler continues fine Franch Tour as Contador takes yellow jersey

Stage 14: Riblon hangs on in Pyrenees to give France fourth stage win

Stage 13: Vino returns to top of Tour after doping ban

Stage 12: Rodriguez wins as Contador attacks

Stage 11: Cavendish bags third stage win but lead out man kicked out of Tour

Stage 10: Cavendish bags third stage win but his lead-out man is kicked out of race

Stage 10: Paulinho claims narrow stage victory on Bastille day

Stage nine: Casar wins stage as Schleck and Contador go head-to-head

Stage seven: Chavanel wins stage and takes overall as Thomas drops out of Tour's white

Stage six: Cavendish makes it two as Tour hots up

Stage five: Cavendish wins his first stage of Tour

Stage four: Petacchi wins into Reims

Stage three: Hushovd takes dramatic win; Thomas second on stage and GC

Stage three live coverage: As it happened

Stage two: Comeback man Chavanel takes victory in Spa

Stage one: Petacchi wins in Brussels as bunch left in tatters

Prologue: Cancellara pips Martin to win

Tour de France 2010: Photos

Stage 15 photo gallery

Stage 14 photo gallery

Stage 13 photo gallery

Stage 12 photo gallery

Stage 11 photo gallery

Stage 10 photo gallery

Stage nine photo gallery

Stage eight photo gallery

Tour 2010 wallpaper

Stage seven photo gallery

Stage six photo gallery

Stage five photo gallery

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one gallery

Prologue photo gallery

Tour de France 2010: Videos

Stage 15 video highlights

Stage 14 video highlights

Stage 13 video highlights

Stage 12 video highlights

Stage 11 video highlights

Stage 10 video highlights

Stage nine video highlights

Stage eight video highlights

Stage seven video highlights

Stage six video highlights

Stage five video highlights

Stage four video highlights

Stage three video highlights

Stage two video highlights

Stage one video highlights

Prologue video highlights

Tour de France 2010: Race guide

Tour de France 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

Official start list, with race numbers

Brits at the Tour 2010

Tout team guide

Tour jerseys: What they are and what they mean

Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Wiggins

Tour de France 2010: Pictures

Tour team presentation, Rotterdam

Tour teams take to the cobbles: Photo special

 

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.