Contador will focus on Tour de France in 2012; will not defend Giro title

MILAN, Italy - Alberto Contador will not defend his Giro d'Italia title in 2012 and will instead focus on regaining his Tour de France crown. The Spanish three times Tour champion revealed his plan during the press conference to announce the 2012 Giro d'Italia route.

It was widely thought that Contador ruined his chances of winning the 2011 Tour de France by riding an extremely hard Giro less than two months before the start of the Tour.

Of course his hopes of winning another yellow jersey depend on the Spaniard escaping a ban for the trace amounts of clenbuterol found in his bloodstream during a doping test. The UCI are seeking to impose a two year ban although his Spanish cycling federation has cleared him of doping charges; his hearing is scheduled for November, although it has been delayed so many times it is hard to believe it will be heard then.

Contador was lowered onto the stage of the press conference in Milan carrying the trophy he won last year. He said he had enjoyed his time riding in Italy and would return next season for the Tirreno-Adriatico. He also said he believed that the Giro would benefit from its trip to Denmark, which he described as a passioniate cycling country.

Contador is best priced at 5/4 (bet £40 to make £50 profit) to win the 2012 Tour de France, ahead of Andy Schleck at 7/2 with Sportingbet and Cadel Evans at 10/1 with Paddy Power.