Alberto Contador’s rise up the General Classification of the Vuelta continued today on the feared climb of the Sierra de la Pandera.
After the stage, Contador explained, “It was a very difficult day with a lot of wind, and I made a mistake in the last kilometer. I moved to the front too early and, as a result, I lost a few seconds on the finish line. But in general, it was a good stage. We have taken another small step forward, even if there are still quite a few riders in front of me.”
“With Nibali, I didn’t take too much responsibility because it was a very difficult climb with a lot of hairpins, and it was important not to waste too much strength.”
“I don’t think Froome was in difficulty today. No one should be surprised by his way of racing. When he drops back a bit, it is because it is his way of climbing. It doesn’t mean he is going badly.”
“It was a day of hard work for everybody, and we will see how we recover overnight. It could be a very, very difficult stage, and we will see what happens. If people take risks, the differences will be enormous.”
