The route of the 2016 Vuelta a España was officially presented today in Santiago de Compostela. Tinkoff’s leader, Alberto Contador, provided his comments on the 71st edition of the Spanish Grand Tour that will include two time trials, one team and the other individual, seven flat stages and twelve mountain stages.
“It is a typical route of the Vuelta a España, similar to what we have seen in the recent past,” Contador said. “From the outset, the GC contenders will have to be in the front and assume their responsibilities”.
“There are a few stages with longer mountain passes, especially stage 14 to Aubisque. These stages could suit better someone like me, if I were to take part in the Vuelta. I am sure, this year’s route will provide strong emotions until the very last moment. It will also be very important to see the form the main contenders will have at the start”.
Contador points out the importance the 2016 season will have for him and the team. He would like the final bow of the Tinkoff team to be outstanding.
“This will be a special year for me. I would like it to be a very good one and I’m working hard for that. There is no doubt that my focus in 2016 is, first and foremost, the Tour de France and then the Olympics”.
“It will be the final year of the Tinkoff team and I would like to conclude it in the best way possible. I still have to talk to Oleg Tinkov and the team in order to decide our schedule but I don’t rule out riding the Vuelta. Still, we have to figure out what is best for the team. My desire is for Tinkoff to finish in the highest step possible of the UCI WorldTour ranking and for that reason we cannot rule out my participation in the Vuelta”.
“However, 2016 will be the toughest year to reach the Vuelta in good form. After the Tour, it will be very tough to rest because of the Olympic Games. It will be much more difficult, compared to previous years, to fully recover in order to start the Vuelta in top shape. In any case, the Vuelta will always be a very special race to me”.
“This year’s parcours has many explosive finishes that aren’t ideal for me, in particular due to the bonus seconds. Nevertheless, it is what it is and if I were to race I would have to look at it on a positive way”, concluded Contador.
