Alberto Contador today gave a press conference prior to his return to competition, which will take place tomorrow, August 6, in the Eneco Tour. Contador thanked the media at the hotel where stay the team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank and said that today “is an important day and I'm happy to be back competing tomorrow, especially in a race as pretty as the Eneco Tour is. Tomorrow I will be part of Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank officially so I'm happy, in addition to debut here in front of fans like those. There was no better place to start”.
- After your last Tour you said to like to have controls because they could help to change the mentality of cycling, are you still agree with that?
- Yes, I still think the same, I believe in controls and I continued to believe in them all along. I have pass several controls in recent months and I have never complained, but it certainly would also have to change certain things that can be improved and for which solutions should be sought.
- Do you feel relieved to get to tomorrow?
- I do not know if relief is the right word, but I'm looking forward to competing because is what I like to do.
- Have you seen the Tour on TV?
- When not training, yes, but in a very different way from other years.
- How have you experienced these six months and what are your goals now?
- Those 6 months have been difficult and I’ll remember them forever. I did not want to stand, I changed my training places, there have been days of having more desire and others less, but I'm just as tired as another year at this time because I trained hard to get well now. And I want to thank everyone who supported me on the road, in social networks and elsewhere because they have helped me to train every day.
- How this experience has changed you as a person?
- It is difficult to assess, but it is true that in some ways takes away the illusion that I had 8 years ago. It also makes you grow up and see cycling as a part of my life, but not my whole life. I think I will to face difficult situations, and it will be good in order to deal with stressful situations.
- Do you have feelings of revenge or a desire to show something?
- Not at all, I just want to enjoy. I enjoy training, sacrificing myself to be the best and look forward to enjoying and reach the results.
- What do you expect tomorrow in the peloton?
- The same that I received in the Tour of Algarve in 2011 and others races, respect and friendship, simply.
- What was the hardest moment of this time, did you ask someone for help?
- The hardest moment have been the whole last 2 years, because they says everything about me without any limit. Luckily, I have my family and my friends. Thanks to them I did not need to seek help from any professional. They are the ones who have given me encouragement.
- You have signed a contract of 3 ½ years, but the team has sponsorship until 2013, Riis promised to you something special and what are your goals for the future?
- For me it was very easy to stay on this team. I am also very grateful to all othersteams who have called me because they respected my decision, because what Saxo Bank and the other sponsors, with Riis at the front, have done for me is invaluable. I am indebted to them and never felt out of this team. As for the objectives, should be seen every year.
- What are your goals for the Eneco Tour?
- Above all, to enjoy the competition and pick up the pace after so many months, because training it's never the same. I have desire to do well.
- Have you had contact with Frank Schleck in recent weeks?
- No, I had not, but I wish him all the best as a friend of mine, for their sake and also for the sake of cycling.
- Are you a victim after your case, do you feel helpless?
- What is clear is that this legislation is outdated and all relevant authorities know this, but do nothing to change it.
Source: Contador's Press
(Automatic translation. Forgive ianccuracies)