“I’M A BIG FAN OF CONTADOR”

Earlier this year, a friend of Barguil presented him with a gift, one of Alberto Contador’s 2016 Tinko f jerseys. “I was like a kid!” Barguil told us in his distinctive high-pitched tones. “I’m a big fan of Contador and I was so happy to receive that jersey." The seven-time Grand Tour winner is renowned for his guerrilla tactics. “It’s how he races…” Barguil said, articulating his admiration. “He’s one of the best riders in the bunch and always rides with lair." Barguil gave the example of a month previously when the 34-year-old Spaniard had started the inal stage of Paris-Nice 31 seconds down on the leader, Sky’s Sergio Henao, but clawed back all but two seconds of the de icit in an all-out attack. “The way he rode at Paris-Nice, I was really disappointed for him,” admitted Barguil. “He attacks and never stops. He has the ability to change the direction of the race when he wants. I would like to be strong like him, to make something happen like that.”