Contador Flying High As He Wins Tour of Spain 14th Stage And Retains Overall Lead
FUENTES DE INVIERNO, Spain, Sept 14, 2008 (AFP) - Spain’s 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, who rides for Astana, won the 14th stage of the Tour of Spain here Sunday to retain the overall race lead.
He completed the 158.4 kilometre mountain ride from Oviedo to the Fuentes de Invierno ski resort in 4hr 16min 1sec, followed by American team-mate Levi Leipheimer, who was 2sec behind.
Spanish rider Ezequiel Mosquera of team Karpin-Galicia came in third place at 4sec from the leader.
With two kilometres remaining, Contador - who also won this year’s Giro d’Italia - attacked out of a group of three riders to cross the finish line in front.
He is now on track to make history by becoming the first rider to win all three major Tours since Frenchman Bernard Hinault three decades ago.
“I didn’t think I would win, I was looking to maintain my time differences but I felt well, there were people cheering me on and I decided to go for the victory,” said Contador.
“I have a more than sufficient lead but I have not yet won the Vuelta,” the 25-year-old added.
His two most serious challengers, Spaniards Carlos Sastre, of CSC Saxo Bank, and Alejandro Valverde, of Caisse d’Epargne, trailed him in the 14th stage.
Sastre, the reigning Tour de France champion, finished sixth, 20sec behind the leader while Valverde finished in 11th at 1min.
“The truth is that I am short on strength. I have more desire than strength,” said Sastre.
“We saw a very potent Astana that easily controlled the road and that have consolidated their lead,” he added.
The Tour of Spain continues on Monday with a 202-kilometre ride from Cudillero to Ponferrada. It ends on September 21 in Madrid.
Photo by: CorVos Pro
Categories: Features, Races, team astana, tour of spain
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