Alberto Contador of Spain successfully defended his Castilla-Leon title, holding off the challenge of Colombian Mauricio Soler.

Contador, the reigning Tour de France champion, finished amongst the leading pack on the final 158km stage to maintain his 39-second advantage over Soler.

Unlike Contador, the Colombian climber, only recently recovered from a knee injury, is bound for the Tour this summer, where he will defend his best climber's jersey.

Thomas Dekker of the Netherlands was third, 46 seconds back of Contador.

Eurosport