Swiss time trial ace Fabian Cancellara powered through the rain to take a stage win and regain control of the Tour of Spain on Saturday.
The 2008 Olympic and multiple world time trial champion was the only rider to complete the 30km rain-soaked race against the clock in less than 37 minutes.
He stopped the clock on 36 minutes, 41 seconds, with Britain’s David Millar second, 32 seconds behind.
German Bert Grabsch finished in third place.
“This victory was much harder to achieve than last Saturday’s,” said Cancellara, the winner of the opening time-trial stage a week ago. “The course was very slippery and the heavy rain made it much more difficult.”
Cancellara is keen to regain his world title on Sept. 24 in Mendrisio, Switzerland.
“Today was a good test for me; it’s made me very optimistic for what’s coming up in September,” he said.
The 28-year-old Saxo Bank rider said he had been inspired by Saturday’s spectacular finish inside Valencia’s Formula One motor circuit.
“Seeing these surroundings was a big extra motivation, they made me want to try and go as fast as the guys do in Formula One,” he said. “Getting back the leader’s jersey as well as winning the stage was the icing on the cake.”
Cancellara now heads the general classification, with Belgian Tom Boonen second by 51 seconds and Spain’s David Herrero in third place, 59 seconds back.
The best-placed overall favorite is Spain’s Alejandro Valverde, seventh at 1 minute, 14 seconds.
“I felt good and I’m pleased I didn’t lose too much time on the specialists,” Valverde told reporters. “The next big step is doing well in tomorrow’s mountain-top finish in Aitana and after that we’ll really see who the main contenders are for the overall victory.”
The Tour of Spain finishes in Madrid on Sept. 20.
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