Daily Times

GIJON: Three time former champion Alberto Contador has given up on winning this year’s Tour of Spain saying Tuesday he has fallen too far behind overall leader Colombia’s Nairo Quintana.

“The chances of winning are very slim now” said the Spanish pre-race favourite during a press conference. “I’m three minutes behind Nairo Quintana whose doing really well and who has a good team behind him. If I’m continuing the Vuelta it’s not to win but to give it my best.” said Madrid born Contador. After Quintana’s victory in the 10th stage Contador is fifth nearly three minutes behind the leader and two minutes behind Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) and Chris Froome (SKY), who are in second and third.

Contador won the Vuelta in 2008, 20012 and 2014 but a fall and severe grazing down one side of his body have hampered his form in this year’s edition. “The tactics I used in the Lagos de Convadonga climb was wrong, I should have been more prudent,” added the Spaniard about his 8th placed finish in the 10th stage. The Tinkoff rider hinted that his objective might be to get a stage win during the second half of the Vuelta, “I’m going to have a look at the stages and decide what to do.” he said. The 11th stage of the Tour de Spain on Wednesday will be a 168.6km ride from Colunga to Pena Cabarga with a category 1 climb to the finish line.