Contador wins Vuelta de Murcia

Alberto Contador won the Vuelta de Murcia on Sunday in his second competition since avoiding a doping ban.

The Tour de France champion defended the lead from Saturday's mountain stage by winning the 7.7-mile time trial in Murcia.

The Saxo Bank rider finished with an overall time of 9 hours, 27 minutes, 18 seconds.

Frenchman Jerome Coppel was 11 seconds behind for Saur Sojason, while Russia's Dennis Mechov, riding for Rabobank, was third at 17 seconds off the pace.

Contador had tested positive for clenbuterol but was later cleared of wrongdoing by the Spanish cycling federation. The International Cycling Union said it will decide by March 24 whether to appeal the Spanish federation's decision.