MOLLET DEL VALLES, Spain (AP) — Alberto Contador closed in on his second straight title since avoiding a doping ban, holding onto the lead of the Volta of Catalunya after a sixth stage won by Jose Joaquin Rojas on Saturday.
Rojas claimed the 114.6-mile ride from Tarragona to Mollet del Valles in 4 hours, 22 minutes, 19 seconds.
Contador — riding the Volta for the first time — maintained his 23-second lead over Levi Leipheimer of the U.S. and Michele Scarponi of Italy heading into Sunday’s final stage.
On Thursday, the International Cycling Union decided to appeal Contador’s acquittal by the Spanish cycling federation for a positive test for clenbuterol while winning his third Tour de France last year.
Contador won the Vuelta of Murcia earlier this month.
