Astana's contador breathes easy after 3rd tour title; schleck vows to win next year
Astana's contador breathes easy after 3rd tour title; schleck vows to win next yearAlberto Contador edged closer to Lance Armstrong's record number of victories yesterday as the American's Tour de France career came to an end.
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| Photo finish: Spain's Alberto Contador rides past the Eiffel Tower during the last stage of the Tour de France in Paris yesterday. pic/AFP |
Contador (Astana) secured a third Tour title in four years by 39 seconds from Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank), who finished as runner-up for a second straight year.
The Spaniard is now four victories behind seven-time winner Armstrong, who yesterday bade farewell to the race he dominated with seven successive wins between 1999 and 2005.
After Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) won the 20th stage from Longjumeau to Paris, sprinting to victory on the Champs Elysees, Contador stood atop the podium ahead of Schleck and third-placed Denis Menchov (Rabobank).
"My objective was to win the Tour and it's such a big moment of relief," said Contador. However, the 27-year-old's third successive win is a victory which will be tainted in some people's eyes.
Contador seized the maillot jaune on Monday by ufffd contrary to racing etiquette ufffd forging forward when Schleck's cycle chain slipped on the hors categorie climb of the Port de Bales. Contador and Schleck put the dropped chain incident behind them, but there is no doubt it was the decisive moment. "All great races can only be won by very few seconds," said Contador. Either way, their rivalry is likely to be an enduring one.
"Andy is a great rider, I've spent a lot of time with him, I know him very well. He's going to be a major rival for a long time," said Contador.
Meanwhile, Schleck vowed to win the title next year. "I gave it my all, and I just couldn't beat him (Contador). But I've won two stages here, so for that I'm happy. I will come back next year to win. He is not unbeatable."
