With only two weeks between the rescheduled Tour de France and Giro d'Italia this fall, a Giro/Tour double for the first time since 1998 is next to impossible. However, Alberto Contador, who attempted the feat in 2011 and 2015, has suggested that Tour de France champion Egan Bernal could pull it off in the future.

Contador won seven Grand Tour victories, including two consecutive Giro Vuelta titles in 2008, as well as the 2010 Tour and 2011 Giro, but these titles were revoked in the famous Clenbuterol affair.

Bernal, meanwhile, turned pro in Androni Giocattoli, Italy, but has yet to compete in the Giro d'Italia. Last year, the 23-year-old Bernal won his second Tour participation. He plans to defend the yellow jersey in September, but has already said he hopes to compete in the Giro d'Italia in 2021. However, Chris Froome's contract with Team Ineos ends this year, and Team Ineos has not yet defined who will be the team leader in 2021. [Contador told La Gazzetta dello Sport, "After Pantani, Bernal could be the first rider to do the Giro-Tour double. "I think he can do it already in 2021," Contador told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Contador insisted that it is possible to reach the form needed to win both races. Contador said that strong teams are important in the Giro and that attacks often fly by more easily, as he knows from his own experience in 2015.

"It is not impossible to maintain the necessary level of form in both Italy and France," he said.

"Especially in the Giro, so that when you're attacked you don't have to work harder than you normally would.

"Think about the 2015 Giro. It was against Aru and Landa from Astana. They were very strong and when they attacked I was often left alone. I still managed to win, but I used more energy than I should have and it paid off in France."

The ubiquity of talent and resulting depth of several top teams, such as Team Ineos and Jumbo Visma, make it much easier to win a second consecutive Giro Tour. Those teams can field two strong support teams for each race, if necessary.

"It's possible. It depends on the team's preparation and interest." Now more than ever, teams have an A team and a B team. Indurain, Pantani, and Armstrong were always the sole leaders. Ineos, on the other hand, could have three winners - Bernal, Thomas, and Froome - three out of eight is crazy!"

Contados.

Contador is less sure about the prospect of Strade Bianche resuming the season on August 1, when the World Tour calendar will change and start with a condensed schedule, once the COVID-19 epidemic is over.

He is more optimistic about races after that. For example, the Tour de France starts on August 29 and runs through September 20.

"There can never be a 100% guarantee (that it will resume in August). No one knows if there will be a new spread of the virus or an increase in deaths. Of course, the situation is getting better in most parts of the world and, to be honest, I am optimistic for September and the end of the season."

"August is a tight period. Hopefully we will be able to race, but we have to take into account that the whole world is at the same point. For example, would it be possible to go back and forth between countries?"