Contador to race Spanish TT Champs next week

Jun 22nd, 09. Astana announced today that Alberto Contador will race in his Spanish National Time Trial Championships next Friday, June 26th.

Contador made the decision in part to support the event that he feels is undervalued.  "I also wanted to contribute to my support," he said on the Astana website.

Contador trialling his new bike at Dauphine Libere (c)Sirotti

"This aspect has counted in my decision with the fact that I need training on the new bicycle to adapt as best as possible."

Contador will be racing on his new time trial bike specifically built for the Tour de France. 

He first raced this bike in the Dauphine Libere time trials where Contador was pleased with his results but commented that he had not yet done any specific time trial training.

"This time trial, thanks to its distance, can be a simulation of that of the Tour de France and it will be fine to finish my preparation," he said.

Contador is expecting to face tough opposition in the race from Spanish time trial specialists who know the course better than he does.  

"It is probably excessively long for me, but at the end what is necessary is to train in the distances that are not yours. It is the only way of improving."

The Tour de France has two individual time trials this year.  The first in Monaco on the opening stage is 15.5km, the second on the 18th stage, just three days before the Tour finish in Paris, is a longer 40.5km.

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