Contador strong in Tour de San Luis

The Saxo Bank team leader held off Levi Leipheimer (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) at the end of the 168.2km stage from Estancia Grande to Mirador del Portero.

Miguel Angel Rubiano (Androni-Giocattoli) took third place in the stage which included an eight kilometer long uphill finish.

After a break was reeled in by the chasers Contador took the initiative in the closing kilometers of the climb and launched an attack of his own.

Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) and Leipheimer responded but the three-time Tour de France winner was again too strong at the finish.

”It was a perfect day for us with total control. Going towards the first climb we were in the first line and we put Jesus [Hernandez] in the breakaway in the climb and gained control of the pack on the descent and reeled in the escapees before launching Alberto [Contador] on the final ascent. He was superb," said Team Saxo Bank sports director, Philippe Mauduit after the victory.

"Naturally, he's not going to be in shape for the Tour just now but still he's the best. It was simply a great feeling watching him take off and take that first season win and we'll try to defend the leader's jersey."

Contador now leads a general classification which received a big shake up after sprinter Francesco Chicchi (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) led the first two days, with his pair of closely fought stage wins.

Leipheimer is now well placed to challenge Contador for the title, behind at just 4 seconds heading into the fourth stage 19.5km time-trial in San Luis.

"This stage was the first in a series of three which will be decisive," said Omega Pharma-Quick Step Sport Director Davide Bramati.

"Tomorrow there will be a 19.5-kilometre time trial and the day after tomorrow there’s a mountain stage which is even more complex than today’s. The game is still anyone’s to win. Levi [Leipheimer] is in great shape and he can count on a fantastic team. It’s going to be a fantastic fight."

Stage 3: 168km, Estancia Grande to Mirador del Potrero.

1 Alberto Contador (Spa) Saxo Bank 4:29:27
2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-QuickStep
3 Miguel Angel Rubiano (Col) Androni Giocattoli 0:00:05
4 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Christina Watches 0:00:09
5 Daniel Diaz (Arg) San Luis Somos Todos 0:00:12
6 Cayetano Jose Sarmiento (Col) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:00:26
7 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
8 Jose Serpa Perez (Col) Androni Giocattoli
9 Luis Mansilla (Chi) Chile
10 Giovanni Visconti (Ita) Movistar 0:00:35

General classification:

1 Alberto Contador (Spa) Saxo Bank 12:45:15
2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Omega Pharma-QuickStep 0:00:04
3 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Christina Watches 0:00:19
4 Daniel Diaz (Arg) San Luis Somos Todos 0:00:22
5 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:00:36
6 Jose Serpa Perez (Col) Androni Giocattoli
7 Cayetano Jose Sarmiento (Col) Liquigas-Cannondale
8 Luis Mansilla (Chi) Chile
9 David Arroyo (Spa) Movistar 0:00:45
10 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Omega Pharma-QuickStep