Contador wins stage 20 in race for Vuelta crown

Spanish rider Alberto Contador dug deep to just about assure himself an overall victory in the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain) cycle race as he won the penultimate stage, beating main rival Chris Froome of Britain.

There were a lot of expectations surrounding the last mountain stage of the tour, reports Xinhua.

Saturday's stage ended with a first category climb and then the special category assault on the Purtto de Ancares, where the final destiny of the race looked certain to be decided.

The day saw break-aways but they had been pulled in by the start of the final climb for the final drama to unfold. Froome and Contador again went head to head, with the British rider attacking relentlessly in an attempt to reduce the one minute 19 seconds deficit he started the day with.

Knowing he needed a convincing win to remain in contention, Froome attacked time and again. In the end, it was Contador who was able to ride away, finishing 15 seconds ahead of the Briton to, barring an accident, assure his overall win in the race.

Meanwhile, Froome's efforts have secured him the second place on the podium after Alejandro Valverde, who began 12 seconds behind him, lost almost a minute on the final climb.

Sunday's final stage is a 10 km time trial around Santiago de Compostela, which is too short to produce major time differences among the favourites.