Colombian Rigoberto Urán confident in his chances at Tour de France

The Colombian Rigoberto Urán, fourth in the general classification of the Tour de France, assured today, on the second rest day of the race, that he does not feel like he has less chances of winning the race than the other contenders.

"We all have the same possibilities," said the leader of Cannondale, who is 29 seconds behind the leader, British Chris Froome.

Urán, twice second in the Giro d'Italia, analyzed this Tour as an open race in which, despite the strength of Froome's Sky, there are several riders with possibilities of winning.

Facing the two alpine stages and the time trial in Marseille that will shape the general classification, the Colombian assured that there is terrain to make differences.

Urán pointed out that the climbs have not been decisive so far, but indicated that the remaining ones are different since they are at an altitude of over 2,000 meters, which demands more from the riders.

Regarding the two alpine stages, Urán indicated that the one ending at the Izoard Pass, a special category climb, next Thursday is the most suitable to gain differences, although also the previous one, which ends after the descent of the mythical Galibier.

"The time trial in Marseille is short but differences will also be made," said the Colombian, who calculated that he needs at least a minute advantage over Froome to be able to win.

"I'm good in time trials, I have won some and I defend myself well. With the form I have, I hope to do a good time trial on Saturday," said the Colombian, whom Froome identified as his main rival in that stage.

Urán indicated that he will try to maintain the same consistency he has had so far, which gives him "confidence", since, not counting the time lost in the opening time trial in Düsseldorf, he is the rider who has given up the least time.

"But I have learned that one cannot trust too much. There is still terrain ahead and the third week feels quite demanding. The important thing is to look at where I am and stay focused like these two weeks (...) I have been racing for eleven years, I know all the rivals, their way of racing," he said.

"Froome is in good shape, he showed it yesterday because he had a flat tire and returned to the main group, he made a high effort. Aru is a young rider with experience, who has won races like the Vuelta. Bardet too. There is a group that is difficult to know how it will end," he said.

The Colombian from Cannondale assured that, no matter what happens until the end, his Tour will no longer be a failure because he has won the stage in Chambéry.

Urán had words of recognition for his compatriot Nairo Quintana, who after losing almost 4 minutes in Puy-en-Velay said goodbye to his options in the general classification.

"He is a super rider, he has done three Tours and in all of them he has made the podium, he has done three Giros and has won two. We are human beings, we are not machines, he is not going through a good moment but he is not the worst, he has joined breakaways, he has been good. I admire him a lot, he is a very good rider," said Urán, who lived with Quintana in Spain a few years ago and with whom he said he has a great friendship.