Contador ready to take Giro-Tour gamble (Reuters)

By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) – Alberto Contador, gunning for his seventh major tour title at the Giro d’Italia, embarks on Saturday on a three-week journey that could either cement his reputation as one of the best grand tour riders or signal his downfall. The Spaniard, who has not won either the Giro or the Tour de France since 2009, is looking this season to achieve the first Giro-Tour double since the late Marco Pantani of Italy in 1998. Success would give him his second Giro triumph after 2008 and boost his confidence ahead of the July 4-26 Tour de France. Only Eddy Merckx (11), Bernard Hinault (10), Jacques Anquetil (8), Fausto Coppi and Miguel Indurain (7) have won more grand tours than Contador.