Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador, racing for the Russian owned, Danish sponsored team Tinkoff-Saxo, collected the final leader’s jersey in the Vuelta a España with a solid performance on Sunday evening.
Adriano Malori (Movistar) won the concluding 9.7km individual time trial stage in Santiago de Compostela, but it was left to Contador to be crowned king of Spain.
Third time winner
In wet conditions, the Spaniard lost 27 seconds to his rival, Britain's Chris Froome, but it was enough to deprive him of the title as he finished 70 seconds ahead of the Sky racer.
Contador, 31, had previously won the tour – which along with the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia makes up Europe's prestigious Grand Tours – in 2008 and 2012.
Amazing comeback after injury
“It’s simply an astonishing achievement by Alberto," commented Steven de Jongh, the Tinkoff-Saxo sports director.
Contador broke his leg less than two months ago in a crash that forced him out of the Tour de France.
"Coming back from an injury like that, after declaring himself out a couple of weeks before the Vuelta, and not only riding well but taking the win is just amazing."
