Contador officially retired from professional cycling at the conclusion of this year’s Vuelta a España and has become vocal on issues he suggests are affecting the sport.

He believes the use of power metres had led to riders opting not to attack during races, with data suggesting they would be unable to sustain an effort should they attempt to break away.

The 34-year-old suggested the removal of the technology could make riders more likely to attack.

"The earpiece restricts invention less than the power meter, which I’d eliminate from use competition," Contador told the Spanish newspaper Marca.

"If you’re going up a climb and you know that you can’t go over 400 watts and Sky are at the front of the peloton going at 400 watts, you don’t dare to attack because you’ll blow up inside two kilometres.

"But if you don’t see the numbers, it might lead you to attack.

"Riders block themselves when they see the numbers, especially on gradients of six or seven per cent."

The Spaniard was one of the most aggressive riders during this year’s Vuelta a España as he sought to end his career in style.

Contador triumphed on the penultimate stage of the race, winning atop the Alto de l'Angliru climb to delight a local crowd.

He had triumphed his home Grand Tour on three occasions, winning the race for the first time in 2008, before successes in 2012 and 2014.

Contador also won the Giro d’Italia in 2008 and 2015, as well as triumphing at the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009.

Contador was stripped of victory at the 2010 Tour de France and the 2011 Giro d’Italia after he was found to have tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol at the former.

A lengthy legal case ended in 2012 with the Spaniard ultimately being given a retrospective two-year ban.

Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck was awarded the Tour de France victory, while Michele Scarponi of Italy took the Giro d’Italia title.

Contador, one of only six riders to have won all three Grand Tours, has also spoken of his support for salary caps being introduced in the sport.

He argued sponsors could be put off entering the sport due to the perceived high costs associated with running a ream, while suggesting the teams with larger budgets are likely to dominate.

The Spaniard has rejected suggestions his retirement and calls for a salary cap are linked and offered support to the move to reduce team sizes to make racing more unpredictable and competitive.