Alberto Contador is the best rider of his generation, says Tinkov

Alberto Contador is the best rider of his generation, according to Tinkoff-Saxo owner Oleg Tinkov.

The Russian says Contador is looking as strong as ever heading into the 2015 season, in which he will attempt to win both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.

Heading into his 33rd year, Contador has already spoken publicly about retirement, and Tinkov speculates El Pistolero could hang up his wheels if he wins the double this year.

“After the week we share in Tenerife think it is faster and lighter than in 2014,” he told Spanish newspaper AS. “He has been criticised in the past, but this is the best rider of this generation.

“He has focused his schedule and preparation for this dual effort. If someone is trained for this, it is Alberto.

“Maybe he will get the Giro-Tour double and leave on top. Or maybe continue for two or three years. We have not spoken about it and will not push him in his decision, although he will retire at Tinkoff.”

With three-time Tour de France green jersey winner, Peter Sagan, now in the Tinkoff-Saxo ranks, Contador could be forgiven for worrying whether he will have his team’s full support at the Tour.

But Tinkov insists his team’s goal for July Grand Tour is to bring home the yellow jersey, whereas any other successes would be a bonus.

“In France we will focus on one challenge: the yellow jersey for Alberto,” he continued. “If Peter takes the green and [Rafal] Majka the king of the mountains, we are not going to refuse, but would be a bonus.”