Contador stronger for brush with death

Astana rider and leader's yellow jersey Alberto Contador of Spain celebrates his overall victory on the podium after the final 21st stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Montereau-Fault-Yonne and Paris July 26, 2009.

PARIS (Reuters) - Alberto Contador nearly died five years ago and the experience helped him weather a storm within his own team to clinch his second Tour de France title on Sunday.

Criticism from seven-times champion and team mate Lance Armstrong over his tactics during the Tour pale into insignificance compared to what the Spaniard went through in 2004.

During the first stage of the Vuelta a Asturias, Contador fell and went into convulsions. He was diagnosed with a cerebral cavernoma, a congenital vascular disorder, for which he underwent a risky surgery after spending 10 days in a coma.

Contador now has a scar running from one ear to the other over the top of his head.

"I think of this experience very often, it helps me give value to every little thing," the 26-year-old told Reuters on Sunday.

"I always bear in mind where I come from and it helps me keep things in perspective.

"When I think of it today, I know why I fought."

Contador, who proved to be strongest in the mountains and hammered the other favorites in the time trials, fought almost as much with his team mates as he did with his rivals.

TEAM ORDERS

He was criticized by Armstrong when he attacked in the first Pyrenean stage to Arcalis, with the 37-year-old American saying Contador went against team orders.

"This episode was misinterpreted by many people," said Contador on the train taking the Tour riders from Avignon, South of France, to the start of the final stage in Montereau Fault-Yonne.

"That day, I was feeling extremely strong, so I attacked, that's all. I felt so good that I even wanted to attack before."

Contador, one of only five men with wins in all three grand Tours, Italy, Spain, France, surged ahead two kilometers from the summit to move clear of Armstrong in the overall standings.

"I just saw an opportunity to distance my rivals," he added.

"We must bear in mind that there were not many opportunities to make the difference in the mountains during this Tour."

Only three mountain stages finished at a summit in this year's race and on the first two occasions Contador smashed the field.

He took the yellow jersey with a strong attack in the climb to Verbier, Switzerland before controlling his opponents in Saturday's ascent to the intimidating Mont Ventoux.

"This Tour brought me a lot of experience," said the Spaniard, who was born in Pinto, in the Madrid region, in 1982.

"I now have more experience on the bike, but also and above all as a man.

"After everything I went through, I deserve a good holiday. I need to come away from cycling for a little while."

Contador, however, will take part in the Clasica San Sebastian on Saturday before riding the Grand Prix de Plouay next month.

He said he would not defend his Vuelta title in August and September.

(Editing by Alison Wildey)