Contador Wins Tour de France 14th Stage

Spanish rider Alberto Contador of Spain has won the 14th stage of the Tour de France but yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen of Denmark finished second to extend his overall lead.

As the race entered the Pyrenees Sunday, Contador edged Rasmussen in the final 300 meters to win the 197-kilometer stage from Mazamet to Plateau de Beille in five hours, 25 minutes and 38 seconds. Rasmussen was credited with the same time, while Colombia's Juan Mauricio Soler took third place, 37 seconds back.

The stage, which included two climbs so difficult they defy classification in cycling's rating system, gave the 24-year-old Contador the first Tour stage victory of his career.

Contador also moved up to second place in the overall standings, two minutes and 23 seconds behind Rasmussen. Cadel Evans of Australia, who fell back in the final five kilometers, dropped to third place, three minutes and four seconds off the pace.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.