Puncture woes for Contador

Madrid - Spain's Alberto Contador suffered two flat tyres again during the third stage of the Tour of Castilla y Leon on Friday, which was won by Italy's Filippo Savini.

The three-time Tour de France champion suffered two blow outs as well during the first stage of the race, his final tune-up for the Giro d'Italia.

He punctured his rear wheel just under 2km from the summit of Friday's first climb and another flat just 2km from the finish to end nearly three minutes behind Savini in 28th place.

"It was pure bad luck," said Contador. "I chose to finish the stage calmly and I hope I will have more luck on tomorrow's time trial."

Savini finished the 157.2km mountainous stage from Benavente to Laguna de los Peces in 3 hours, 58 minutes, 25 seconds, ahead of The Netherland's Bauke Mollema of Rabobank, the race's new overall leader.

Results from the third stage of the Tour of Castilla y Leon, a 157.2km ride from Benavente to Laguna de los Peces on Friday:

Stage 3:

1. Filippo Savini (ITA) Colnago 3hr 58min 25sec, 2. Bauke Mollema (NED) at 7sec, 3. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) s.t., 4. Igor Anton (ESP) at 10sec, 5. Xavier Tondo (ESP) s.t.

Selected:

28. Alberto Contador (ESP) at 2min 50sec

Overall standings:

1. Bauke Mollema (NED) Rabobank 13hr 17min 52sec. 2. Xavier Tondo (ESP) at 03sec, 3. Igor Anton (ESP) s.t., 4. Domenico Pozzovivo (ITA) at 06sec, 5. Dario Cioni (ITA) at 14sec

Selected:

26. Alberto Contador (ESP/Saxo Bank) at 2min 43sec