Alberto Contador close to signing up with new team for 2017
Alberto Contador confirms that he has shelved plans to retire at the end of 2016, and that he is on the verge of signing with a new squad for 2017 - Photos by Daniel Gould

Alberto Contador has said he is close to signing a contract with a new team for the 2017 season.
Speaking from a Critérium du Dauphiné pre-race press conference today, the champion Spaniard categorically shelved retirement plans and said he would compete next year.
>>> Alberto Contador: ‘This time last year I was destroyed’
The 33-year-old has been presented with numerous offers and is believed to be negotiating a two-year deal that won’t be announced until the official August transfer window opens. His current Tinkoff team is set to fold at the end of this season through want of a sponsor.
“I feel good. I felt that if I’d lost even one per cent of my physical ability then my decision would have been different,” he said.
“I’ll give it 100 per cent. I’ll be doing the same things that I’ve always done, doing the same work, making the same sacrifices that I have always done ever since my first year as a professional.”
Contador last year voiced plans to retire at the end of this season but partially reneged on that in April after he won the Vuelta al Pais Vasco.
He will lead Tinkoff at the Critérium du Dauphiné, which starts tomorrow with a steep four-kilometre prologue time trial in Les Gets.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, television reporter and presenter, who has provided coverage for Cycling Weekly from races across the world. She has covered eight Tours de France, as well as reporting for national and international newspapers as well as other magazines.
Follow Sophie Smith on Twitter and Instagram:
Instagram: sophiesmith86
Twitter: @SophieSmith86
-
-
“That was f***king hard!” Annemiek van Vleuten reacts after winning stage four of the Giro Donne
The Dutch rider warns that she is not in her best shape yet after arriving at the race from an altitude camp.
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
The best 4th of July cycling deals
Save big on apparel, accessories, tools with these 4th of July cycling deals!
By Cycling Weekly • Published
-
After 'fighting with the best guys', Ben O'Connor is proud of his Critérium du Dauphiné podium
Australian heads into Tour de France with best WorldTour stage result in his pocket
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Can anyone stop the Jumbo juggernaut? Five talking points from the Critérium du Dauphiné
Wout van Aert and Primož Roglič are the best at the French race, but the Tour de France is another level up
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard wins stage eight of the Critérium du Dauphiné as Roglič triumphs on GC
It was a dominant display from the Jumbo Visma pair who crossed the line hand in hand and secured a 1-2 on GC
By Adam Hart • Published
-
Carlos Verona holds off Primož Roglič to win stage seven of the Critérium du Dauphiné
Verona proved to be the strongest rider in the breakaway as he time-trialled up the final climb to victory
By Adam Hart • Published
-
A 'dangerous mistake' — Juan Sebastián Molano disqualified from Critérium du Dauphiné for hitting Hugo Page
Colombian sprinted thrown out of race after striking Frenchman on camera late on Friday's stage
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Valentin Ferron triumphs from breakaway on stage six of the Critérium du Dauphiné
TotalEnergies take their second win of the race as day's escape lasts until the end of the day
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'If even your GC guys who weigh 60 kilos are pulling, you have to finish it off' - No more disappointment for Wout van Aert at Dauphiné
Jumbo-Visma rider took his second stage win in five days in France on Thursday, and stays in race lead
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Wout van Aert sprints to stage five victory at the Critérium du Dauphiné as break caught in final 100 metres
Belgian wins his second stage of race to maintain general classification lead
By Adam Becket • Published