Alberto Contador (Astana) showed his rivals that there are no excuses for cautious 'off season' performances by winning the mountain-top stage three and snatching the overall lead
at the Tour of Algarve on Friday
.
The 2009 Tour de France winner launched a late attack from the bunch, accelerating away from his rivals to take the stage win at the summit of Alto do Malhao comfortably ahead of Team RadioShack rivals Tiago Machado and Levi Leipheimer in second and third.
Two stages remain in the five-day race based in the Algarve region of Portugal. Sunday's final stage, an individual 17.2km test against the clock, will decide whether Contador can defend last year's overall victory against a collective RadioShack onslaught.
Britain's David Millar (Garmin-Transitions) came in 110th on the stage, over six minutes behind Contador and lies 107th overall. A winner of an individual time trial stage in last year's Vuelta a Espana, Millar will be one to watch in Sunday's final time trial.
David Millar in action
Alberto Contador gives his trademark pistol salute
Alberto Contador celebrates his early-season win
Related links
Boasson Hagen wins final Oman stage; Cancellara takes overall win
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
