Alberto Contador Signs with Team SunGard-Saxo Bank

At a press conference in Copenhagen taking place earlier today it was announced - and reported first by Roadcycling.com - that three time Tour de France Champion Alberto Contador has signed with Riis Cycling and Team Sungard-Saxo Bank for 2011 and beyond.

"Alberto is a world class rider and it's with great pride that I can welcome him onboard the team for the next two years. With three Tour de France victories on his resume and a position as number one on the world rankings, he is sure to stay at the very top for several years to come. Alberto will get a solid, strong and loyal team around him to support him in all terrains and I'm sure that this will be a fruitful alliance." Team Saxo Bank-Sungard and Riis Cycling owner Bjarne Riis said at the press conference.

Riis added "I am looking forward to the new challenge of working and cooperating with Alberto Contador. I am looking forward to polishing him, thereby making him an even more beautiful and sparkling diamond. I believe that we have yet to see his full potential and that he will sparkle even more during his time as part of Team SunGard-Saxo Bank than he has done while riding for Team Astana."

Alberto Contador's great ambition is to win all three major tours in the same year. The Giro d'Italia, the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana. "I will support Contador in making this dream come true," Riis said in Copenhagen. However, Riis believes that 2011 will be too soon for Contador to make an attempt at conquering the pro road cycling Tour triple.

Riis said that negotiations with Contador have taken place during recent months, indicating that Riis has also negotiated with Contador during the 2010 Tour de France.

Alberto Contador has signed a two-year contract with the team. However, Contador did not attend the press conference. According to Riis, Contador had been sighted in Copenhagen Airport trying to catch a cab that would take him to Hotel Skt. Petri in time for the press conference.

"I'm very happy and excited about signing a two year contract with Riis Cycling. With the unique philosophy and team spirit the team offers I'm ensured solid support from the sponsors, administration and staff of riders that I'm looking forward to becoming a part of myself. Historically, Riis Cycling has always been successful and together, we will have the ability to play a very important role in the world of cycling in the years to come," Contador said in a statement.

Be sure to check out our other story Riis Cycling Announces 2011 Team SunGard-Saxo Bank - Saxo Bank to Continue Cooperation and Sponsorship with Riis Cycling and support our advertisers.

Now part of Team Saxo Bank-SunGard Alberto Contador will be using the professional training diary service from TrainingPeaks/Roadcycling.com starting with the 2011 season. Sign up for your professional training diary/training log today! For a low monthly fee you get access to the exact same training log and analysis tools used by the pro cyclists with Team Saxo Bank-Sungard. Click here to sign up.