Cycling
Contador wins in Spain
2010-04-18 18:03
Madrid - Spaniard Alberto Contador kept his pre-Tour de France preparations on track by winning the Tour of Castilla y Leon for the third time in his career on Sunday.
Portuguese Sergio Ribeiro won the fifth and final stage, a 159km ride from Samos to Saint Jacques de Compostelle.
Astana rider Contador had taken control of the race by winning Saturday's fourth stage, a 15.1km time trial, to take a 41-sec lead over compatriot Igor Anton of Euskaltel.
He defended that lead Sunday to claim his third overall crown, after wins in 2007 and 2008.
Contador, the defending Tour de France champion, also won the world's biggest bike race in 2007.
Results from the Tour of Castilla y Leon after the final stage:
Stage:
1. Sergio Ribeiro (POR) Barbot 3hr 50min 06sec, 2. Alberto Benitez (ESP) same time, 3. Angel Vicioso (ESP) s.t.
Overall:
1. Alberto Contador (ESP) Astana 16hr 56min 01sec, 2. Igor Anton (ESP) at 41sec, 3. Ezequiel Mosquera (ESP) 1:20