Cycling: Contador scenting on a winning return

COMILLAS: Spain’s two-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador stands tantalisingly close to a stunning win in the Tour of Spain, his first major race since returning from a two-year doping ban. But while the 29-year-old, who still protests his innocence over the minute trace of clenbuterol found in his urine on the 2010 Tour de France, is just 28 seconds behind overall leader Joaquim ‘Purito’ Rodriguez, he admits it will be tough for him to claw the deficit back. “I am in second place now and would like to exchange it for first place, but I am aware of how difficult it will be to win,” Contador told a news conference during the second rest day of the race. Rodriguez extended his overall lead over Contador by six seconds during the 16th stage and is now within striking distance of securing his first ever major Tour win.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2012.