Tour de France podium place slips away for Alberto Contador
Saxo-Tinkoff slipped away from the Tour de France's podium during the final test today. Two-time race winner Alberto Contador lost second overall and fell to fourth on the Annecy-Semnoz summit finish, one day before the race ends in Paris.
"When one gives everything they have, that's it... I could not be at 100 per cent," the Spaniard told media at the finish line. "One must congratulate those who have been able to ride away."
Contador and team-mate Roman Kreuziger cracked between nine and eight kilometres to race. Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha) attacked, and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Chris Froome (Sky) followed.
Froome secured his race lead ahead of tomorrow's flat stage into Paris by finishing third. Quintana won the stage, the white jersey of young rider and took over the polka-dot jersey. Rodríguez placed third.
Contador started the stage at 5-11 minutes back, but now sits in fourth at 7-10. He crossed the line over two minutes after Quintana and Rodríguez, who jumped up to second and third overall.
The places and jerseys - including green for Peter Sagan (Cannondale) - will likely stay the same with sprint finish predicted in Paris tomorrow.
The fourth place is a blow for Contador, who won the Vuelta a España last year. However, since losing his third Tour title to a doping positive and serving a related ban, he has lacked firepower.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Saxo-Tinkoff continued to defend Contador throughout the doping ban and comeback. In the Tour, instead of switching gears to Kreuziger, it rode for Contador. When it came to the mountains, however, they were underpowered.
"Of course, we're disappointed to be thrown off the podium on this final and crucial mountain stage of the Tour," Sports Director Fabrizio Guidi said in a press release. "[It] is a bitter pill to swallow."
Related links
Tour de France 2013: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Thank you for reading 20 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
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Collapsed lung, concussion and multiple fractures: Fundraiser set up for first ever Tour de France Féminin winner following crash
Marianne Martin crashed earlier in October and is looking to raise $20,000 to help her get back on her feet
By Adam Becket Published
-
Gravel riders - get ready, set, register! A guide to 2025's biggest gravel events and key registration dates
Here are the registration dates for gravel’s biggest events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook Published