"Everything is easy with Contador"

Alberto Contador's team director, Bjarne Riis, speaks Italian softly, almost with no effort. This apparent tenderness contrasts sharply with his look- icy- his way of managing Saxo Bank- with an iron fist- and his one-on-one relationship with Contador, who last Sunday won his sixth major title at the Giro d'Italia.

Question. What is it like to manage a team with Contador? Is it as easy to win as it appears?

Answer. With him everything is easy, he's so strong. He's the strongest rider, but life in cycling is never easy. It's a pleasure to have him in the team, he's a phenomenon.

Q. He gives the impression that as well as his physical superiority, no detail escapes him, he has everything under control...

A. It's a question of professionalism. He makes the difference in various aspects, the important ones. He knows how to look after himself. Before arriving, he knew the route of the Giro even better than I did, he knows how to control his diet, he never forgets anything at a race, he takes note of everything.

Q. People have said that at times Contador can be a bit stubborn, that when a decision is taken it's impossible to convince him otherwise.

A. Yes... But on so many occasions he is right. However, when I see he's wrong my job is to make him see the error, to say, "I think it would be better like this..." Above all, it's a question of feeling.

Q. On the day before Mount Etna [Stage 9 of the 2011 Giro] where Contador provided the coup de grâce, who decided the strategy?

A. We spoke about it and we were both in agreement. I told him straight: "If you see the opportunity, take it." That's how cycling works, you never know what is going to happen the following day. He was feeling good and when someone like him is feeling good and there's a climb, why wait? We talked and I calculated which stages we would have, if we took the pink jersey so early... And we decided there was no risk, that it would even be better for the team to take the lead with two weeks of the Giro to go. It gives the team motivation, commitment.

Q. Contador's race was also a model of team management, relations with other teams, alliances...

A. Every team runs its own race, you can't tell other teams they should do something. I don't like doing that, I don't like alliances. Another matter is to talk about common interests. In the end, nobody gives anything away.

Q. And Alberto didn't give anything away?

A. Well, yes, but he did the right thing, the fair thing, with Rujano, with Tiralongo [to whom Contador handed a stage win]. But for myself, and him as well, what I like most is to win. I'm here to win, my team is here to win. Sometimes circumstances oblige you to act differently, OK, fine, but my sponsor pays us to win, not to give gifts.

Q. Is there an obligation to win with Contador in the team?

A. It's different, a different type of pressure. He has proven already that he is the strongest, so if he doesn't win... It's normal that people expect him to win all the time. But if you have a fear of losing, you're off on the wrong foot. The important thing is to use your head, manage emotions, the rest doesn't depend on one person, there are many factors, things that can go wrong...

Q. Was Contador simply much better or were his rivals off-form: Nibali or Scarponi, for example?

A. Look, Contador is a winner. The others are very strong, but Contador is in another league. He is the best I have ever managed.

Q. How do you see the Tour after the Giro?

A. We want to win it, of course, that's what we're working toward. He is the logical favorite.

Q. Will the CAS' decision on Contador after the Tour [on a ban for a positive clenbuterol test at the 2010 race] have any influence on the future of the team?

A. Obviously he is very important for this team. He knows that, and he's important for the future as well. But we work day to day. The decision's out of our hands. It will be a shame if they ban him...