Jan 13th, 10.

Contador is confident he has a good team to help his defence of the 2010 Tour de France ©Sirotti

Contador himself is impatient to arrive at coastal Calpe and get to work, and hopes to encounter good cycling weather, unlike the freezing temperatures and snow which have made regular training in Pinto, near Madrid impossible lately.

"I'm eager to see the level of all the riders, I'm motivated by them, I'm fully confident in the work that they're doing and I believe that it's going to do a lot of good," said Contador.

The Spaniard believes the winter Europe's having this year is the worst he recalls.

"It's difficult to sort out training, but the truth is, I'm feeling really good and, comparing the data with other years, I think that things are going pretty well."

Contador's first race for 2010 will be the Volta al Algarve in February as it was last year.  Last year he won the tour, but he's not promising a repeat performance. 

"Last year things went very well for starting the season at Paris-Nice and the races that came next. It's true that last year I got the victory, but this year I don't think that I'll reach the same level as last, but it'll be a good warm-up for the rest of the races."

After Volta ao Algarve, Contador will race Paris-Nice and Volta a Catalunya.  He has left open the option of contesting the classics.

Astana's primary goal of the 2010 season is the defence of the Tour de France title and Contador says he's feeling good about the new team around him.

"I think that, all in all, quite a competitive team has been put together, quite complete, and that I can have a team at the level I need for the Tour."

"Really this team is like we start from zero, because almost everything is new. I am confident about this year's teammates and I think we'll make a strong and competitive team. Everyone is very motivated because we know we will always have a lot of responsibility and cannot go to the races for a walk. The team will be at a maximum level."