Alberto Contador to retire after 2016 season, reports suggest
Two-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has reportedly announced that he will retire after the 2016 season
Alberto Contador has said he will retire at the end of the 2016 season, according to reports in Spain.
The six-time Grand Tour winner has talked openly of his possible retirement in the past, but, according to Juan Gutierrez at Spanish newspaper AS, Contador said next season would be his last as a professional.
“Physically [I’m] recovered well and I'm excited about the team, but the years pass. Next year I'll be in the squad, but will be the last,” the Tinkoff-Saxo rider is reported to have said at a Fundación Alberto Contador event.
The Spaniard also says he wants to go out at the top of his game and that winning the big races is the only thing he is looking for at this stage in his career.
“If I ask myself the Giro and the Tour is not worth me being second in any of them,” he said. “I’m just looking to win, but then we'll see what happens. I am maverick and victory is all that I ask myself.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Rapha's loss, your gain: prices slashed sitewide amid profitability concerns
The British clothing brand unveils an almost unheard-of 25% discount across its entire product range
By Hannah Bussey Published
-
A phone app saved my life after a crash, you shouldn't ride anywhere remote without it
Having taken a life-threatening tumble while out riding on the UK's South Downs, John Powell is coming back from the brink
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Alberto Contador left needing stitches after crash at Vuelta a España event in China
Spanish Tour de France winner says injuries weren't as bad as they looked after incident
By Adam Becket Published
-
Former team owner Oleg Tinkov renounces Russian citizenship
The banker, who previously owned WorldTour cycling team Tinkoff, has been vocal in his criticism of Vladimir Putin
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Former cycling team boss Oleg Tinkov comes out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Former owner of Tinkoff-Saxo says war is "unthinkable and unacceptable"
By Adam Becket Published
-
Alberto Contador hugely impressed with current level of talent: 'Cycling is living one of its best moments'
The Spaniard has singled out Tadej Pogačar for praise in what he claims is a 'golden generation'
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Former Tinkoff owner Oleg Tinkov convicted of tax fraud and fined over $500 million
The Russian was also handed a one-year suspended jail sentence
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Alberto Contador: 'I thought about coming back - I wanted to ride Giro 2020'
Contador reveals how highly his physical condition was during the lockdown last year
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Oleg Tinkov to pay $500m after pleading guilty to US tax fraud
The Russian billionaire and former team owner pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return
By Jonny Long Published
-
Alberto Contador sets off on 1,600km ride after his team won a stage of the Giro d’Italia
The retired Grand Tour star promised to take on the huge ride to celebrate the major win for his ProTeam
By Alex Ballinger Published