Tour of Catalunya 2011

Alberto Contador wins Volta of Catalunya

The Associated Press
Posted: 03/27/2011 07:11:40 AM

BARCELONA, Spain—Alberto Contador won the Volta of Catalunya on Sunday for his second straight victory since he avoided a ban following a positive doping test.
Contador, who rides for the SaxoBank team, protected the lead he had established on Wednesday's mountain stage in Andorra, holding off runner-up Michele Scarponi by 23 seconds.

"I'm happy about the win and very happy about the effort from the team," Contador said. "It's a great satisfaction to win the anniversary edition. The Volta has a great history."

Ireland's Daniel Martin finished third, 35 seconds back.

Samuel Dumoulin edged a pack of chasers to claim the final 77.4-mile stage from Parets del Valles to Barcelona in 2 hours, 33 minutes and 55 seconds.

On Thursday, the International Cycling Union decided to challenge Contador's acquittal by the Spanish cycling federation for a positive test for clenbuterol while winning his third Tour de France last year. The Court of Arbitration for Sport said it's aiming to give a verdict before this year's Tour starts July 2.

Contador won the Vuelta of Murcia earlier this month and was fourth in the Tour of the Algarve after being cleared of a proposed one-year ban.