Contador takes lead in Vuelta de Castilla and Leon

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PONFERRADA, Spain (AP) -- Alberto Contador won the fourth stage of the Vuelta de Castilla and Leon and took the overall lead on Saturday.

The Astana rider completed the 9.4-mile time trial around Ponferrada in 20 minutes, 30 seconds. He finished 33 seconds faster than Janez Brajkovic. Igor Anton was third, 54 seconds back.

Two-time Tour de France winner Contador took the overall lead from Anton, turning a 13-second overall deficit before the stage into a 41-second advantage.

"I raced better than I'd hoped, because you always have doubts and it was a very hard time trial," Contador said. "A very good one for climbers."

Ezequiel Mosquera was third overall, 1 minute, 20 seconds behind Contador.

On Sunday, Contador hopes to become the first cyclist to win the Vuelta de Castilla and Leon three times.The final stage is a 106.6-mile ride from Samos to Santiago de Compostela.

"It will be a very hard day because there will be people who want to break away and the team will have to make a big effort," Contador said. "But I hope the day will pass without any problems."

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