Alberto Contador put Friday's frustrating third stage behind him when he stormed to victory in Saturday's time trial at the Tour of Castilla and Leon.

The three-times Tour de France winner has little chance of winning the event, which ends on Sunday, but was pleased with his performance on Saturday as he prepares for next month's Tour of Italy.

"I still have to work to reach my form for the (Tour of Italy) but I think I have enough time," the Saxo Bank-SunGard rider said.

"The conclusions I can draw from this Tour are very good," he added. "I am very pleased, I have positive feelings and the team has been impressive."

Contador sustained two punctures during the mountainous third stage to slip almost three minutes behind leader and Spanish compatriot Xavier Tondo.

Contador is fighting to clear his name after testing positive for the banned substance clenbuterol during last year's Tour de France, a result he blamed on contaminated meat.

The Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) lifted an initial ban in February but the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Eurosport