Contador still optimistic after losing time to rivals

LUZ ARDIDEN, France, July 14 (Reuters) - Alberto Contador
had a tough day in the 12th stage of the Tour de France on
Thursday, but the three-times champion is not ready to be ruled
out of contention just yet.     

The 28-year-old Spaniard finished eighth in the first
mountain stage featuring two out-of-category climbs in the
Pyrenees, 13 seconds behind his main rivals. 

He is seventh overall, four minutes adrift of leader Thomas
Voeckler of France.          

Contador, who suffered a minor knee injury after crashing
twice in the first week of the Tour, could not follow Frank
Schleck's attack with less than three kilometres left.     

He stayed with Australian Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck of
Luxembourg and Italian Ivan Basso, but was dropped in the last
kilometre.     

"I was a bit cautious because I saw the two Schleck brothers
were talking to each other," Contador told reporters at the end
of a 211-km effort.     

"I knew they were up to something."      

Contador is 2:11 behind Frank Schleck, 1:54 adrift of Evans
and 1:43 behind Andy Schleck, regarded as his main rivals this
year. Basso, who made a good impression in the ascent to Luz
Ardiden, has a 44-second advantage over Contador, who is
refusing to panic.     

"At the end of the stage, I could not give more but I'm
still satisfied with this first day in the mountains," he said. 

Last year, Contador lost 10 seconds to Andy Schleck in the
first mountain stage before improving and eventually retaining
his title.     

"It's ok, because day after day I will be going better.
Today was special because I was still recovering from those
crashes," he said.     

"My pedalling was not as good as usual."     

Andy Schleck, runner-up to Contador in the last two
editions, said the Spaniard would quickly bounce back.     

"It this was a bad day for him, he will come out super
strong in the coming days," he said.     

The next test for Contador will come in the 14th stage on
Saturday, a 168.5-km trek finishing with an intimidating climb
to the Plateau de Beille.