Contador wins third Tour of Basque Country

Alberto Contador won the Tour of Basque Country for a third time on Saturday, confirming the Spaniard’s strong return to form with his second title of the year.

The Tinkoff-Saxo cyclist defended the lead he established on the opening day during the race’s sixth and final stage, an individual time trial in which he finished second behind winner Tony Martin.

After going a year without a multi-stage race title, Contador has now won the Tour of Basque Country and the Tirreno-Adriatico, to go with runner-up finishes at the Tour of Algarve and the Volta a Catalunya.

He previously won this race in northern Spain in 2008 and 2009.

Martin, the three-time world time trial champion, won the 26-kilometre leg around Markina in 38 minutes, 33 seconds.