Alberto Contador is set to end his professional cycling career at Tinkoff-Saxo after signing a one-year contract extension through to the end of the 2016 season.

The Spaniard, 32, who leads the team at Tirreno-Adriatico this week, has already hinted at his intention to retire at the end of the next season.

And the team have agreed a deal to keep the six-time Grand Tour champion at the head of the Russian-backed team until the end of his illustrious career.

El Pistolero, who this year is targeting a Giro d’Italia-Tour de France double, said: “It is already five years that I have been working with Bjarne Riis and the possibility to continue for another year is satisfying.

“For me [sorting the contract] was something very important. I knew I could not wait much more because if I had to choose another option it should have been done much in advance, in order to adequately prepare the team.

“We have been thoroughly assessing all aspects and in Tinkoff-Saxo we have a group that can fully guarantee the challenge of the Grand Tours.

“It is true that it was important for 2016 to have these guarantees and for that reason I am very happy to have closed the deal.”

Team owner Oleg Tinkov hailed the Spaniard as the world’s premier cyclist and admitted he only regrets Contador will not be staying with Tinkoff-Saxo beyond the 2016 season.

However, Tinkov believes Contador can end his career by leading Tinkoff-Saxo to more Grand Tour success in his final 18 months with the team.

“I’m very happy that Alberto will lead Tinkoff-Saxo in 2016 as well [as 2015], because I truly believe he is the best cyclist in the world and I am convinced he will continue to be so for a few more years.

“Unfortunately, he decided he would retire at the end of next year which means he will race with my team for two full seasons. I would have, obviously, preferred him to stay longer but that was his personal decision.

“However, I am very proud that Alberto’s impressive career will conclude in my team and I hope he takes the Tinkoff-Saxo colors to the top step of the Tour de France podium in 2015 and 2016.”

Contador will his week go wheel-to-wheel with Giro d’Italia champion Nairo Quintana (Movistar) and Astana’s Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali as he bids to defend his Tirreno-Adriatico crown in Italy.

He is then due to race at the Volta a Catalunya before his double assault on the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France.