Alberto Contador of Spain took the overall lead of the Spanish Vuelta on Saturday after winning the 13th stage.
The 25-year-old Astana rider finished the grueling 209.5km stage from San Vicente de la Barquera to Alto de L’Angliru, a 1,560m peak in 5 hours, 52 minutes, 35 seconds.
“I know victories like these are few and the L’Angliru climb is the stuff of myths,” Contador said. “With the encouragement of so many people who came here from all over, including my home town, the climb was less hard.”
Alejandro Valverde of Spain finished 42 seconds behind and countryman Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver was third, 58 seconds back.
Contador took the overall lead from Egoi Martinez of Spain, who came 23rd in the stage after struggling up the climb.
Contador leads by 1:07 from Levi Leipheimer of the US. Carlos Sastre of Spain is third, 3:01 back.
“I tried to stay up there, but when you’re not going as well as they are you have no option but to settle for your own rhythm,” Sastre said. “The stage took an eternity for me, and I can see I’m losing my options in this Vuelta.”
Contador said there was a lot still to do to win the Vuelta.
“My legs have done well and the team has been on top form, but the race will be decided at the finish line in Madrid,” he said.
Astana director Johan Bruyneel said the team’s planning had worked out well.
“Today was the key stage and our plan has worked perfectly,” Bruyneel said.
Igor Anton, Euskaltel’s lead rider, fell and had to retire after breaking his left collarbone.
The 14th stage, scheduled yesterday, was a 158.4km leg from Oviedo to Fuentes de Invierno, ending in a climb up the 1,500m San Isidro peak.
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