Klöden proud of being in winning team

Andreas Klöden formed part of the Astana team that helped guide Alberto Contador to victory in the overall classification in the Vuelta a España. The team was quite impressive, placing its two leaders, Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer, into the top two positions.

Klöden was happy with the result. "I am proud to be part of the team and to have contributed to the victory with my own work," he said in a press release.

He was confirmed in his decision to skip the Tour of the Germany for the Vuelta a España. "As one of the three Grand Tours, it is a highly prestigious race."

Klöden saw the race in Spain as another proof that Astana is the strongest stage race team. He emphasised the team factor and added that everybody, including "rides, mechanics, organisation and the directeurs sportifs worked perfectly together for this performance."

For the German rider the Vuelta was a mirror of his season, with a rocky start followed by improvement and being happy with his performances later in the season/Vuelta. His highlights came in May and June. "My win at the Tour de Romandie, a second place at the Tour de Suisse and good performances in the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España satisfy me."

In the Giro and Vuelta, he was there to help Contador, a job that he really enjoyed. "Alberto Contador is a great rider and it is fun to ride with him in one team. I really haven't had that much in a while during a race, both on and off the course."