Contador says Caisse d’Epargne most likely team for 2010

Double Tour de France winner Alberto Contador says he is facing a crucial week for his future, in which he should - finally - resolve which team he will be racing for in 2010. And he dropped strong hints that Caisse d'Epargne is the most likely destination.

"It's increasingly probable, although it won't be straightforward" Contador said. "We could form a great team, the sponsor is well known and is interested in me."

"In any case, I'm taking things as relaxed a way as I can and we'll be studying all the options." The Spaniard has already met the Caisse d'Epargne sports director Eusebio Unzue twice to discuss a possible switch.

Although Quick Step, Garmin-Slipstream and Liquigas have all previously been rumoured as possible destinations, Contador has always said that he would prefer to ride for a Spanish team.

However, the option of remaining in Astana does not appear to be completely ruled out, either. In what Contador has described as a 'crucial week for my future', he will also meet the new Astana sports director Yvon Sanquer and representatives of the Kazakh Cycling Federation.

This week, his brother and agent Fran also plans to meet the Union Cycliste Iinternationale lawyers to discuss Contador's current contract with Astana.

Contador was speaking at a ceremony broadcast live on French TV, during which he received the prestigious Velo D'Or prize for the third time in his career. Britain's Mark Cavendish took second place, with Fabian Cancellara in third.

Contador also had time to look back on his Tour de France win this summer, where team-mate Lance Armstrong proved to be one of his toughest rivals.

"I've never been under such pressure as I was this July," he reflected. "But that made the final podium in Paris [with Contador first and Armstrong in third place] all the more special."

Related links

Alberto Contador: Rider Profile