Contador holds off Valverde challenge

CYCLING: Alberto Contador of Spain won the Paris-Nice race for the second time yesterday after successfully defending his narrow lead from Alejandro Valverde in the seventh and final stage.

Amael Moinard of France won the 119-kilometre (73.8 mile) stage around Nice in a sprint finish, finishing less a wheel's length ahead of Frenchman Thomas Voeckler after overtaking him at the line.

Contador was close behind in a small chasing group, which included Valverde, and raised his hands in the air in delight as he crossed the line. Valverde was second overall, 11 seconds behind Contador.

"It's very hard to win Paris-Nice, even more so when you are the most watched rider in the race," said Contador. "I absolutely wanted to win. I feel liberated because today's stage was very tense and very nervy."