Alberto Contador of Tinkoff Saxo has taken victory on the Queens Stage of Route Du Sud race.
A 181km stage Izaourt to Bagnères-de-Luchon in a race where all roads used must go south, produced a day of climbs and a Contador versus Nairo Quintana battle.
On the final climb, the Colombian had given Contador everything he could but on the descent, Contador was in superb form and was able to get away and take the win in 4.48.05 thirteen seconds ahead of Quintana, thirty five seconds ahead of third placed Pierre-Roger Latour of AG2R and forty eight seconds ahead of Stéphane Rossetto of Cofidis and Eduardo Sepulveda of Bretagne-Séché Environnement, who was fifth.
The victory plus the time bonuses mean that Contador leads the race going into the final 166km stage from Revel to Gaillac with a lead of seventeen seconds from Quintana and forty one seconds from Latour.
"I'm very happy with this victory. I strive to win in every race not just for myself and my team but also for our sponsors. I'd like to thank Tinkoff Bank, Saxo Bank, Citroën, Specialized, Sportful and all the partners of the team for their invaluable help. That's why it's always important to try and win” said Contador.
“All my teammates did a very good job today and for that reason I had to round off the effort. On Port de Balès I was with Quintana and I asked him whether he wanted to collaborate in order to bring Latour back, who was alone at the front. Quintana said he didn't want to because he considered I was very strong. There was still a long way to go but I tried to control the race to the top of the climb. At that point I got a few meters from Quintana and I realized it was a question of gritting my teeth and holding on to the finish line. I staged a few attacks, just enough to be able to control the race”, comments Contador before adding:
“Every win is always important and boosts your morale but this one doesn't mean much. The main objective remains the Tour de France."