Weight of expectation on Contador

Astana's Alberto Contador has addressed the weight of expectation placed upon him as he continues his 2009 campaign. Following a win in his first outing, the Volta ao Algarve last month, the young Spaniard has a one from one record thus far this season, and already the number of voices are growing in support of his chances for more wins in the year's big events.

Speaking during a Sports Gala evening, Contador told reporters, "I know that much is expected of me, everyone has great confidence in my chances, but people must understand that cannot everything always win or be the fastest."

Contador's next race is Paris-Nice, where he won the overall classification in 2007, the year he also took the Tour de France crown. Following that he will ride the Vuelta a Castilla y León, where he joins up with teammate Lance Armstrong for the first time in competition for 2009 (see above).

Contador described the deal between the two as "pretty good," but that, "everything is decided by the team, which is really important, rather than by either [of us]. Everyone has their schedule, mine involves riding races and thinking about the good of the team.".