ALBERTO CONTADOR PREVIEWS THE 2022 LA VUELTA

As a Spaniard, and of course a three time La Vuelta winner, can you explain what is the importance of the race to you and for Spanish sports fans in general?
La Vuelta is our brand. Also, that it is one of the three most important races on the international calendar. That alone tells us how important and special this race is. It is these three races that define the calendar of the whole peloton, choosing which ones each one wants to compete in. Being part of the central axis of the calendar indicates that it is a top race in the preparation of the teams. In Spain we live the sport in a special way and to be a reference in the calendar means that we are specialists and already traditionally in the most important events of this sport.

Why is La Vuelta considered to be one of the most prominent cycling races in the world? How does it differ from other Grand Tours?
Just by being one of the three Grand Tours, it is clear that we are talking about a special race. La Vuelta maintains that spirit of southern Europe of living cycling with emotion and the fans reflect this in each stage. It is a special race for many reasons, but above all because of the many things that are experienced in it.

The Giro and the Tour offered a lot of excitement and surprises. What can we expect in La Vuelta?
The Vuelta is always the final climax of the three Grand Tours and with a heat that identifies this race. I think it's the race of the three Grand Tours where we can see the most surprises, regardless of Roglic's dominance in recent years.

Which sections of this year's Vuelta do you consider to be the most difficult and crucial as for the determination of the winner?
I think this year's route is different from other editions because it generates maximum competitiveness in each stage. There are five new finishes that also influence the rest of the stages, so a priori the more difficult days can be smoother than we thought, and the calmer days can complicate everything. it will be the day-to-day running of the race itself that will make one stage or another more decisive or not. Regularity will be the key to be able to have more certainty about the race itself.

Primoz Roglic is a top GC cyclist, but he has had a lot of bad luck during the Tour de France, instead he has won Vuelta three Times in a row. Why is he so strong in Spain?
Roglic is strong everywhere, but it's true that the general conditions and the fact that Pogacar is not here this year make him even more of a favourite. He is a great cyclist and he always proves it and he has in Pogacar his great rival, so that frees up the panorama a little bit. In any case, Roglic is a rider who has the potential to win any race anywhere.

Who are the favourites to win La Vuelta 2022 and why?
Roglic, Simon Yates and Richard Carapaz for being the most complete cyclists overall of those who have confirmed their participation.

Who could be the real outsider to turn tables with the big boys?
Hindley has earned the right to be one of the favourites because he knows what it's like to win big races like this one.

If you were a sports director at the Vuelta 2022 and could pick one rider for your team, who would it be and why?
I would stay with Pogacar. He is a rider who is capable of winning any kind of race and who always guarantees you results. Pogacar knows how to compete on all types of surfaces and I think he is the most complete rider in the peloton.

How do you feel as a cycling expert and do you enjoy your job at Eurosport?
I really enjoy my new stage as an expert at Eurosport because I can stay in touch with the competition, which I obviously miss. I have the opportunity to continue to enjoy what I like the most and I have the freedom to do it the way I want. It's a very lucky thing that Eurosport allows me and I'm very happy with it.

The 2022 Vuelta a Espana starts on Friday 19 August and runs until Sunday 11 September. Watch the action from the third and final Grand Tour of the year LIVE on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App.