Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador expects to retire in 2016

Alberto Contador

Madrid, Feb 17 (IANS)

Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador has revealed that he would probably retire from top level cycle racing at the end of 2016. The winner of the 2007 and 2009 Tour de France, as well as a three time winner of the Vuelta de Espana (Tour of Spain) and the 2008 Giro de Italia (Tour of Italy) explained in a press conference on Monday that he felt he could not continue cycling at the top level beyond 2016, reports Xinhua.

"I am recovering well after training and happy with the team (Tinkoff-Saxo Bank) that I have around me, but the fact is the years go on passing by," explained the rider, who, aged 32, is not old compared to some veterans in the 'peloton'.

"I don't know how many years I will be disputing the major tours and I don't want to push the limit," added Contador, who made his ambitions clear.

"I would like to retire at the highest level. I am certain that I will compete this year and next year. I can't be completely certain, but that will probably be the last year. I can't see myself riding beyond 2016," said the cyclist.

Contador implied that he would not be defending last year's Tour of Spain title, but confirmed he would be riding in the Giro and the Tour de France.

"If I am planning to ride the Giro and the Tour, I am not riding to finish second in either of them, I will be riding to win," he said.

The Spaniard's season will start this week when he rides in the Tour of Andalusia, where one of his rivals will be 2013 Tour de France winner Chris Froome, who will also be one of the riders in the event.

"It's obvious it will be an interesting battle and it will provoke a lot of interest," he commented about the race.