19. Pinto Poised
by
Rebecca Bell
Alberto Contador hometown fans in Pinto
Copyright © 2007 Paul White/AP
Everybody in Alberto’s home town is rooting for him in the final days
of the Tour de France.
Madridiario.es reports Alberto Contador is Spain’s new idol. On Sunday,
the young cyclist could become the fifth Spaniard to win the Tour de France.
Contadormania has already been unleashed in Pinto, his native town. All
the citizens will be on tenterhooks as their home town boy gambles for the
leadership in Saturday’s decisive time trial. They hope for his triumphal
procession through the streets of Paris on Sunday.
On Sunday, Pinto’s city council will install a giant screen in the Prince
of Asturias Pavilion. Townspeople will then unite to follow the last stage
of the Tour de France and the fate of Alberto Contador, who hopes to be crowned
victor in the 94th edition of the race. The giant screen will show images
of Contador’s previous victories, then connect with Spanish TV for the live
broadcast.
The doors of the Prince of Asturias Pavilion will open at 12:30 p.m. “By
taking this step, the people of Pinto want to show the world their support
for their champion, and make it easy for everyone in town to enjoy the live
global celebration of this young athlete,” say municipal sources.
The city has provided a banner with the motto “Pinto for Alberto Contador
- Thanks, Champion” which is now flying from the city hall. In addition,
the people of Pinto have distributed yellow t-shirts proclaiming the name
Contador.
Pinto’s mayor Miriam Rabaneda and other city officials will attend Sunday’s
final stage on the Champs-Elysees. Their mission is to convey to Alberto
the support and gratitude of thousands of Pinteños for the excitement
they’ve experienced, thanks to his performance in the Tour. The rest of the
city council will join citizens in front of the city hall to watch the race
on the giant screen.
The council has also decided to charter buses to the airport on Monday,
July 30, to greet Alberto as he returns to Spain, allowing Pinteños
to give him the brilliant reception that he deserves. The entourage at the
airport will be the first of a series of events designed to honor their
neighbor, Alberto Contador, the famous man of the moment.
All over Pinto and the surrounding region, Contadormania has awakened.
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Race Report, Stage 19
Cognac – Angoulême, 55.5km
“Crossing the line has been momentous. I’ve been released
from all the tension accumulated during these last few days.”
After finishing the Cognac time trial and keeping the maillot jaune, Alberto
Contador said that the feeling on crossing the finish line “was momentous.
I’ve been released from all the tension accumulated during these last few
days. It’s a feeling that no words can describe.”
During the race, Contador was under siege by Evans and Leipheimer, but
managed to hang on to the yellow jersey. “I suffered, yes, but even though
Levi was doing one impressive time trial and Evans was also going very strong,
I was able to keep it. I knew that today I had to give everything.”
Alberto dedicated the race to “my family, for all their support in difficult
times, especially during my surgery, and to fans in Spain and all over the
world, so that they celebrate, with me, the most important day of my life
in sports. Now I only hope that in the last stage there is no problem before
arriving in Paris.”
Alberto’s results
Stage 19 5th 2:18
(winner Leipheimer)
Young rider 1st
1.05.02
GC 1st
87.09.18
Young rider 1st
87.09.18
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