Contador says knee is ‘feeling better and better’

CARMAUX, France (AP)—Defending champion Alberto Contador said his injured knee is “feeling better and better” after coming through unscathed in Tuesday’s 10th stage of the Tour de France.

The three-time Tour champion fell Sunday after his handlebars became tangled with Vladimir Karpets’ bike, damaging the same right knee he hurt earlier in the race.

Contador spent Tuesday safely in the pack to sit 4 minutes, 7 seconds behind race leader Thomas Voeckler in 16th place overall.

“At the beginning of the stage, I wasn’t sure what to think, but as the stage progressed my knee was feeling less sore,” Contador said.

After a rest day on Monday, the Spaniard was expecting the 158-kilometer hilly trek between Aurillac and Carmaux would give him indications on his form before the race reaches the daunting Pyrenean passes later this week.

Contador, the best climber in the world, is trailing his main rivals Cadel Evans of Australia and Andy Schleck of Luxembourg by 1:41 and 1:30 respectively ahead of Wednesday’s short trek.

“Hopefully, another day in the peloton can make me ready for the big climbs,” Contador said.

The Spaniard also denied reports in French media that he could quit the race sooner than expected because of his knee inflammation.

“The idea did not even cross my mind,” Contador said. “Go home? Yes, but not before the end of the Tour. I will do everything I can to reach Paris as the winner. I feel better.”

Saxo Bank team manager Bjarne Riis was in a similar upbeat mood after his riders didn’t spend too much energy protecting their leader.

“Matteo Tosatto and Benjamin Noval are doing a tremendous job shielding Alberto from the wind,” he said. “Alberto seems to be doing a lot better so we’re very optimistic.”