MADRID, June 3, 2008 (AFP) – Recently-crowned Tour of Italy champion
Alberto Contador said on Tuesday that he could be considered one of the greats
of the sport.

The 25-year-old Spaniard added the Giro to his 2007 Tour de France title
and is looking to win the Tour of Spain in September, though, he will not be
able to defend his Tour de France championship because his Astana team were
not invited by the race organizers after a series of high profile drugs
scandals – none involving Contador.

“With the Giro and the Tour de France under my belt, I can justifiably
consider myself one of the greats of cycling, even if there still remains a
lot of work to be done to reach the level of the legends,” said Contador.

Contador, though, has given up hope of being a late invitee to this year’s
Tour de France, even, though, world governing body the International Cycling
Union (UCI) objected to the organizers decision and offered to try and find a
solution.

“I still think that it was a bad decision, without foundation, and which
does not please me at all,” said Contador.

“Astana will do its utmost to compete in the Tour this year.”

Contador, though, while admitting his results can revive Spanish cycling,
rejected flat out he could be compared to previous Spanish cycling legends
such as Miguel Indurain or Pedro Delgado, both of whom also tasted glory in
the Tour de France.