bicycle.net -- World Road Championships 2009 :: cycling news, product reviews, original essays, podcasts & video

MADRID, March 25, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s Alejandro Valverde of the Caisse d’Epargne team won the third stage of the Tour of Castilla y Leon on Wednesday in a sprint finish at the San Isidro ski station.

American Levi Leipheimer of the Astana team, who won Tuesday’s individual time trial, maintained his overall lead ahead of teammate Alberto Contador of Spain, who launched an unsuccessful attack to try and take the first mountain stage of the event.

One breakaway group, involving Paco Mancebo and Ricardo Serrano, was caught two kilometres from the finish of the 156.9-kilometre stage from Sahagun to San Isidro.

The riders on Thursday tackle the most challenging stage of the 24th edition of the Castilla y Leon race, with tough two mountain climbs.

It will probably be the last chance for Contador, who won the last two editions, to win a stage or take over the top of the overall standings.

This year’s event has been overshadowed by the withdrawal of seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who broke his collarbone when he fell along with several other riders in Monday’s first stage.

The 37-year-old American is making a comeback to the sport after a three-and-a-half year retirement.

Stage 3
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/Caisse d’Epargne), 3hrs 28min 16secs, 2. 2.
Ruben Plaza (ESP) same time, 3. Javier Moreno (ESP) s.t., 4. Jose Alberto Benitez (ESP) s.t., 5. Ruben Perez (ESP) s.t.

Overall
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA/Astana) 8hr 33min 26secs, 2. Alberto Contador (ESP) at 16secs, 3. David Zabriskie (USA) 22, 4. Stef Clement (NED) 49, 5. Denis Menchov (RUS) 55.