Contador poised to retain title
Source: Agencies |
July 25, 2010, Sunday
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ALBERTO Contador is set to win his third Tour de France title in four years after retaining the yellow jersey in the next-to-last stage yesterday.
Fabian Cancellara won the time trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac, but the 27-year-old Contador held on to his razor-thin lead over Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, who had started the 19th stage in second place, 8 seconds back.
"I am very moved ... It was a difficult Tour and I'm very happy," said Contador, who wiped away tears, took a deep breath and his hand trembled as he finger-pistoled the crowd -- his trademark gesture -- after donning the yellow jersey.
"I think it's the first Tour that has given me so much emotion, you can't imagine."
Schleck said he had no regrets. "Beating Contador is not easy, but I tried everything. I am happy, and I'll come back next year to win."
Riders set off one by one down a starter's ramp for the 52-kilometer race against the clock that set the final positions on the podium. Schleck is set to finish second to Contador for the second straight year.
Cancellara, one of the world's top time-trial riders, won by outpacing Tony Martin of Germany, who was second, 17 seconds back. Bert Grabsch of Germany was third, 1 minute, 48 seconds behind the winner.
Contador was 35th, 5:43 back, while Schleck finished 44th, 6:14 behind Cancellara. That 31-second difference extended the Spaniard's overall lead to 39 seconds.
It was a day of duels.
Denis Menchov of Russia, who won the 2009 Giro d'Italia, mounted an impressive time trial and overcame Samuel Sanchez of Spain to wrest third place overall.
Menchov had begun the day in fourth, 21 seconds back of Sanchez, but nearly four minutes behind Contador and Schleck. The Russian finished 11th -- 3:51 back of Cancellara -- and Sanchez was 40th, 5:51 behind.
Overall, Menchov trails Contador by 2:01, and Sanchez fell to fourth, trailing his compatriot by 3:40.
Barring catastrophe, Contador is all but certain to win the race in the 20th and final stage today -- a 102.5-km trek from Longjumeau to the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
By tradition, the last stage has become a largely ceremonial ride -- and any attempt at attacks would likely be quashed by Contador and his Astana teammates.
In the other race categories -- assuming the riders and teams finish today -- France's Anthony Charteau has locked up the polka-dot jersey for the best climber; Schleck, 25, will take home the white jersey for being the best young Tour rider for a third straight year and Team RadioShack is set to win the team competition.
Fabian Cancellara won the time trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac, but the 27-year-old Contador held on to his razor-thin lead over Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, who had started the 19th stage in second place, 8 seconds back.
"I am very moved ... It was a difficult Tour and I'm very happy," said Contador, who wiped away tears, took a deep breath and his hand trembled as he finger-pistoled the crowd -- his trademark gesture -- after donning the yellow jersey.
"I think it's the first Tour that has given me so much emotion, you can't imagine."
Schleck said he had no regrets. "Beating Contador is not easy, but I tried everything. I am happy, and I'll come back next year to win."
Riders set off one by one down a starter's ramp for the 52-kilometer race against the clock that set the final positions on the podium. Schleck is set to finish second to Contador for the second straight year.
Cancellara, one of the world's top time-trial riders, won by outpacing Tony Martin of Germany, who was second, 17 seconds back. Bert Grabsch of Germany was third, 1 minute, 48 seconds behind the winner.
Contador was 35th, 5:43 back, while Schleck finished 44th, 6:14 behind Cancellara. That 31-second difference extended the Spaniard's overall lead to 39 seconds.
It was a day of duels.
Denis Menchov of Russia, who won the 2009 Giro d'Italia, mounted an impressive time trial and overcame Samuel Sanchez of Spain to wrest third place overall.
Menchov had begun the day in fourth, 21 seconds back of Sanchez, but nearly four minutes behind Contador and Schleck. The Russian finished 11th -- 3:51 back of Cancellara -- and Sanchez was 40th, 5:51 behind.
Overall, Menchov trails Contador by 2:01, and Sanchez fell to fourth, trailing his compatriot by 3:40.
Barring catastrophe, Contador is all but certain to win the race in the 20th and final stage today -- a 102.5-km trek from Longjumeau to the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
By tradition, the last stage has become a largely ceremonial ride -- and any attempt at attacks would likely be quashed by Contador and his Astana teammates.
In the other race categories -- assuming the riders and teams finish today -- France's Anthony Charteau has locked up the polka-dot jersey for the best climber; Schleck, 25, will take home the white jersey for being the best young Tour rider for a third straight year and Team RadioShack is set to win the team competition.
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