LES HERBIERS, France: Spain's Alberto Contador is being tipped to make light of the energy spent winning a gruelling Giro d'Italia in May to secure one of the most prestigious doubles in cycling history. Although the Tour de France is considered the world's premier cycling event, the Giro d'Italia can at times be more difficult. Winning one after the other is a rare feat that has been achieved only seven times. Barely a month after securing his second pink jersey at the Italian race, Contador lines up for the defense of his yellow jersey Saturday aiming for a fourth success on the Tour de France. If successful, he would become the first rider since deceased Italian climber Marco Pantani in 1998. Not many cyclists possess the physical, as well as mental, capacities to achieve the feat – but from the current generation, it seems Contador is the best candidate. “It's not a simple feat, but when you're at Contador's level it becomes possible,” said Marc Madiot, the sporting director of the FDJ team. “Everything depends on whether he has really dipped into his reserves at the Giro, and what state he finished in.” Although this year's Giro was regarded as one of the most gruelling of recent times, Contador finished over six minutes ahead of second placed Italian Michele Scarponi. “Right now I am tired and I would just like to enjoy my victory,” Contador said after stepping off the podium in Milan on May 29. But did the Spaniard, who won the Giro and the Tour of Spain in 2008 when his former team Astana was not invited to the Tour, leave Italy so fatigued that a fourth Tour victory is now impossible? Contador expressed his own reservations Thursday. “The Giro this year was very hard, and obviously it leaves you with doubts about how your body will recover,” said the Spaniard. Garmin's sporting director Lionel Marie believes however that Contador left the Giro “with plenty still left in the tank”. “This year's Giro was raced in a similar fashion to the Tour whereas last year, the race was all over the place,” said Marie. “The Giro course was harder than last year's but ultimately the race was easier,” said RadioShack sporting director Alain Gallopin. “The harder you make the course, the easier it is to control.” Madiot pointed to the eight mountaintop finishes on the 2011 edition of the Italian race which theoretically suit Contador's climbing skills, although the Spaniard has often depended on time trials to help him win the Tour. “He was constantly on terrain that suited him perfectly. It was perfect for a climber,” added the Frenchman, a former winner of Paris-Roubaix. BMC manager John Lelangue is less convinced about Contador's chances. His team leader, Australian Cadel Evans, finished fifth on the 2010 Giro only to crash early on the Tour, take the yellow jersey but lose it the next day before eventually finishing miles off the podium in Paris. Lelangue said: “Even though Contador looked as though he coasted through the Giro, it leaves it's mark on you. I think he will feel those effects at some point.” Although opinions are divided, most agree that when it comes to stage races the Spaniard is untouchable. “To me it seems impossible to be competitive for two Grand Tours in succession, but we're talking about Contador here,” said Saur-Sojasun manager Stephane Heulot.
