Alberto Contador was not able to take overall victory at the Criterium du Dauphine, but all signs point to positive for the four-time Grand Tour champion from Madrid.
"I'm very happy with how I finished this race. The assessment I make of this week's competition is very positive. It was a very good preparation for the Tour de France, and, furthermore, I have won two stages. It has also been a very good performance by the team, with the victory of Dani Navarro included. All of my teammates have been at a high level, and that makes me very confident."
Contador won't get but a night's sleep before he resumes his Tour de France research. Contador will remain in the Alps for Monday and Tuesday to reckon the two main Alpine stages: Rousses to Morzine Avoriaz as well as the stage from Morzine to Saint Jean de Maurienne, which includees the climbs of the Colombiere, Aravis, Saisies, and Madeleine. Contador will be accompanied by his teammates Noval, Hernandez, De La Fuente, Tiralongo, and Navarro - all of whom are on Astana's long list for the Tour de France.
Following the short training camp in the Alps, Contador will return to Spain as previously reported. He will train "at high intensity in the mountain passes." Afterwards, a start in the Spanish time trial championships appears likely.
As Jani Brajkovic pointed out, it seems highly unlikely that the Alberto Contador we saw in France in June will be the same one we see in July. Contador seems to have his form coming along in exactly the right way, and if all continues in the proper direction, he will take the start in Rotterdam as the prohibitive favorite to take his third victory at the Tour de France at the end of July.