Majestic Contador tightens grip on Tour win

ALBERTO CONTADOR strengthened his position at the top of the general classification by powering to victory in yesterday’s individual time trial in stage 18 of the Tour de France.

The Spaniard, who rides for Astana, was three seconds quicker than Fabian Cancellara and now has a lead of four minutes and 11 seconds over nearest challenger Andy Schleck heading into the final three days of the Tour.

Having proved in the Alps he is the strongest in the mountains, the 2007 champion showed yesterday, on the 40.5 kilometres jaunt round Lake Annecy, that he was the best against the clock and looks in prime shape to claim his second Tour title.