Placeholder canvas

Contador seals Route du Sud cycling title

Date:

Alberto Contador completed his expected victory at the four-day Route du Sud as Frenchman Bryan Coquard won Sunday’s 166km final stage in a sprint finish.

Giro d’Italia champion Contador had won the race’s queen stage on Saturday — the only stage in which serious time differences could be expected — ahead of Nairo Quintana.

For both Contador and the man he succeeded as Tour of Italy champion Quintana were completing their final warm-up race before the Tour de France, which begins on July 4 in Utrecht, Netherlands.

Both caused a surprise by opting to ride the Route du Sud instead of the traditional week-long Tour warm-up events, the Criterium du Dauphine and Tour of Switzerland.

And Contador, 32, attacked his 25-year-old rival on the descent into the finish at Bagneres-de-Luchon on Saturday after the pair crested the top of the final climb together.

The 17sec advantage, which included a time bonus, Contador earned then remained the final winning margin.

Tinkoff-Saxo’s Contador will be looking for a third Tour title in July having also won in 2007 and 2009, while Movistar’s Quintana will be aiming to better his second-placed finish from two years ago.

The pair are expected to fight for the Grand Boucle crown alongside the last two Tour winners, champion Vincenzo Nibali and Chris Froome.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Share post:

Subscribe

Popular

More like this
Related

Vicky Kaushal, Sara Ali Khan’s ‘Zara Hatke Zara Bachke’ All Set For OTT Release

Exciting news for movie buffs! After a year-long wait,...

IPL 2024: Jake, Shai, Tristan Shine As Delhi Capitals Post 257/4 Against Mumbai Indians

New Delhi: Jake Fraser-McGurk's explosive half-century, supported by quick...

Fact Check: Don’t Fall For This AI-Generated Picture Of Spilled Cash

A picture of a cash van is being shared...

Two CRPF Personnel Killed, Two Injured in Suspected Insurgent Attack in Manipur

New Delhi: A suspected insurgent attack in Manipur's Bishnupur...