First Endurance sponsored rider Alberto Contador (Astana Cycling Team) received his final burgundy jersey today after he successfully defended his overall title at the twenty-third edition of the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon. Contador took two stage wins and wore the leader’s jersey the entire race.  First Endurance sponsored rider and current US champion Levi Leipheimer (Astana Cycling Team) finished fourth in the overall GC.

After the race, Contador commented on his team. “Without them, it would have been impossible. I may have been the best in the time trial and in the queen stage, but without the support of my team, it would have been impossible to control the race. Thank you Benjamin, Sergio, Chechu, Daniel, Chris, Levi and Andreas. It must be clear: I will not ride the Tour the France in another team than this one. This week, we proved again that Astana Cycling Team is not only a strong team, but a group of friends as well.”

Team Manager Johan Bruyneel, present in this Tour of Castilla y Leon, was impressed by the strongness of this group. “It was a hard race. Some stages were difficult to control. The team really had to ride in front of the race from the first to the last kilometer. It was a hard 630 kilometers. I am convinced that we still can have a great season this year. Even without a Tour de France. This year we will continue to focus on new objectives. We built a team around Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer and other great leaders and will continue to surprise the cycling world.”

Final General classification 

1 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana                                      15.57.37

2 Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld                                                        0.39

3 Thomas Dekker (Ned) Rabobank                                                      0.46

4 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana                                                           1.09