Who's favourite for the Vuelta? Quintana and Contador say each other
Leading riders highlight each other's strengths on the eve of the Vuelta a España
Spain's Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) is the favourite to win the Vuelta a España, starting tomorrow, says Nairo Quintana (Movistar) – but Contador sees it the other way around.
Contador has won the Spanish grand tour three times already, and after quitting the Tour de France early due to crashes, he is perhaps fresher than his rivals.
Quintana finished the Tour third overall on July 24 and returned home to rest. Chris Froome (Team Sky), after winning the Tour, raced RideLondon and in Rio de Janeiro.
"I can rest assured that this race is already in my palmarès," Contador said. "I'm sure that [Froome and Quintana] are looking for their first Vuelta title. Froome has been on the podium I think three times before now, and he has a very strong team. And since the Tour, he has the tranquillity to rest – I'm sure he knew he'd come here from the beginning.
"For Nairo, it's the same. Since the last day of the Tour, we've heard nothing about him and he's been resting and recovering for a Vuelta. I'm sure both of them will be here in optimal condition.
“For me, I will look for a positive situation on the race, and we will see what happens – but Froome and Quintana have stronger teams than me and we will see during the race if it's under control or not."
Contador crashed in the first two days of the Tour de France and quit the race on stage 10. Doctors reported he suffered "multiple contusions, a hamstring injury grade two on the vastus intermedius muscle in his left thigh, an additional hamstring injury on the same leg, and bruises on the left shoulder and the deltoid right thigh."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Quintana did not look his best in France. Some said that he could win this year after twice placing second to Chris Froome, but instead he struggled and only managed to claim third place after a tight battle with Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange).
"The goal is the podium, and winning the Vuelta would be great," Quintana explained. "The podium would be a good reward for all the work that has been done. And if nothing, I'd have the podium in the Tour and in the Vuelta in the same year.
"Contador looks very well, with the time trials. He also comes rested in a way after the Tour abandon, has recovered and trained at altitude. I think he is the big favourite."
The Vuelta starts on Saturday with a flat 27.8-kilometre team time trial that weaves around the Miño River.
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
'There's still some room for improvement' - Tadej Pogačar thinks he can get even better in 2025
After winning the Triple Crown of the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and the World Championships, Pogačar wants more
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Patrick Lefevere to step down as Soudal Quick-Step boss
Controversial Belgian to be replaced by Jurgen Foré after over 20 years in charge
By Adam Becket Last updated
-
Nairo Quintana’s former doctor to face trial for doping offences
Fredy Alexander Gonzales Torres is accused of "possession of a substance or method prohibited for use by an athlete" during the 2020 Tour de France
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Where next for Nairo Quintana? Colombian claims he'll still be at WorldTour races
Bahrain-Victorious say no, Movistar are full, Astana-Qazaqstan and AG2R-Citroën have already denied interest
By Adam Becket Published
-
Nairo Quintana’s Tour de France tramadol disqualification upheld
CAS uphold the UCI decision to disqualify the Colombian after painkiller detected in blood tests
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Nairo Quintana to leave Arkéa-Samsic, six weeks after signing new contract
The Colombian is currently appealing his Tour de France disqualification
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I’ve still got the TT up my sleeve’: Geraint Thomas pins GC hopes on final Tour de France time trial
'If a situation works for both of you then yeah, definitely we’d work together' - Welshman refuses to rule out alliance with Tadej Pogačar
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The dog days aren't over at the Tour de France 2022: Canine chaos AND cuteness
‘Suddenly that beast crossed the street and I couldn’t go anywhere’ - stray dog causes Yves Lampaert to crash on stage 12
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Nairo Quintana joins calls for ketones to be banned in cycling
Colombian says 'the more they ban them, the better for us'
By Adam Becket Published