Yahoo Finance Contador Postpones Retirement
Alberto Contador has confirmed he will postpone retirement and continue racing for potentially two more years after this season.
The 33-year-old Spaniard had initially planned for 2016 to be his last campaign as a professional, but hinted after winning last month's Tour of the Basque Country that he was keen to stay in the sport.
In an interview with cyclingnews.com, Contador revealed his mind is now made up and that he has "various" offers from other teams, plus the possibility of setting up his own squad.
He said: "I have decided that I will continue because I am very keen to keep racing, my condition is very good, and on top of that, my power data, year on year, is very encouraging.
"Talking it over with my support staff and with my family, I've decided to continue. On top of that, racing is what I like doing the most.
"Various offers have come through for next year. I don't like saying which teams because, apart from anything else, it's not fair on the riders already in those teams.
"So there's that interest, there's still that chance of having my own team, although it's true that we have to move fast on that to keep that option open."
Contador currently rides for Tinkoff, but the Russian team is set to fold at the end of the season and there is so far no sign of a takeover to keep them in existence.
Contador acknowledges that any new team may want to sign him for more than just one year and he is open to agreeing a longer-term deal.
He added: "It's not necessarily for just one year. I've left that door open on continuing, and not just for one year. When I decide to quit, that's when I quit, but there's no date right now on my retirement.
"I'm also aware that if a team is going to make a big investment and sign me, it would be difficult for that to happen with a contract for just one year."
Whichever team Contador rides for next year, his only stipulation is that they are capable of winning the Tour de France.
He said: "What I want to be clear is that whichever team I do ride for in 2017, they would have to make winning the Tour de France a top priority.
"It doesn't matter if it's my team or one that's already created. It has to be a powerful squad that is going all out for the Tour and that factor will be what has the biggest effect on my decision where I sign. They've got to be as keen to win the Tour as I am."
