Valence (France): Recovery permitting, Alberto Contador will revert to his usual attacking style in the Alps with his Tour de France title looking in jeopardy after two weeks of racing.
The 28-year-old Spaniard lost crucial time after being held up behind a pile-up on the first stage and also hit the deck in the first week, sustaining a knee problem that forced him to sit and wait in the Pyrenees.
The three-times champion -- who won May's Giro d'Italia in awesome fashion -- lies seventh in the overall standings, four minutes behind leaders Thomas Voeckler of France and about two minutes adrift of his main rivals.
"Because of the crash, I had to change my pedaling. My (right) knee was hurting so I had to compensate with the other knee and it changed my way of pedaling," Contador told a news conference on Monday as the peloton enjoyed their second rest day in the three-week race.
"But I feel better, I'm confident for the Alps."
Contador will have two gruelling stages in the Alps on Thursday and Friday to make up for lost time, as well as a 42.5-km individual time trial on Saturday.
The Galibier stage (from Pinerolo to Serre Chevalier on Thursday) is the hardest with the last 10 kilometres of the ascent to the Col d'Agnel," the Saxo Bank rider explained.
"I'm not as good or as fresh as at the Giro but I think I will be better in the Alps than in the Pyrenees. If I have good legs, it is certain that I will attack because it is my style."
In the first two mountain stages in the Pyrenees, Contador benefited from a waiting game between the overall contenders as Cadel Evans refused to attack while the Schleck brothers' attempts were not sharp enough to unsettle the other favourites.
But Contador cannot wait for the final time trial to make the difference, especially against Australian Evans, who shines in the solo effort against the clock.
"I can't win the Tour with the time trial if the standings after the Alpe d'Huez are the same as today," he said.
"In the Alps, the ascents are longer and go higher above ground level. Some who were good in the Pyrenees will be disappointed in the Alps."
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, July 18, 2011, 20:55