Menchov wins punishing 20th leg of Spanish Vuelta as Contador all but clinches 2nd title

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Saxo Bank Team cyclist Alberto Contador celebrates on the podium after retaining the red leader jersey that confirms him as the Vuelta winner during the 20th stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race over 170,7 kilometers (106 miles) between La Faisanera, at Segovia region and Bola del Mundo mountain, near Madrid Spain, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. The Spanish Vuelta cycling race will end tomorrow in Madrid. (AP Photo/Alberto Di Lolli)

MADRID – Denis Menchov won a punishing 20th stage of the Spanish Vuelta as Alberto Contador kept the overall leader’s red jersey to all but clinch his second title.

The Russian cyclist, a two-time Vuelta winner, outlasted Richie Porte of Australia on the special category climb up to Bola del Mundo to win the penultimate leg by 17 seconds in 4 hours, 48 minutes, 48 seconds.

Alejandro Valverde and Joaquin Rodriguez, Contador’s closest pursuers in the general classification, finished ahead of the Spanish leader but not with enough advantage to close the gap.

The 67th race ends with a largely processional 115-kilometre (71-mile) ride into Madrid on Sunday.

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