Saxo Bank rider, Alberto Contador scored his first victory of 2012 on Stage 3 of the Tour de San Luis today. He finished ahead of Omega Pharma’s Levi Leiphiemer and Michael Rubiano of Androni Giocattoli.

The Spaniard displayed in-form climbing legs as the 168k stage took in two category 1 climbs and finished on the on the Mirador del Potrero, a mountain top that climbs to 1270 meters in less than 5 kilometers.

After a brisk tempo by Leipheimer's Omega Pharma Quick Step boys reduced the peloton to only 30 riders Contador pace reeled in a breakaway of Liquigas-Cannondale’s Vincenzo Nibali and Argentine Daniel Diaz on the final climb, with only Leipheimer staying in contact and even attacking Contador, unsuccessfully, with 2k to ride. Contador takes over the race lead going into the 4th stage, a time trial in San Luis. Relatively flat, it gains only 100m at the turn around, before heading back to San Luis.

STAGE Results
1) 4h 29m 27s Alberto Contador
2) Levi Leipheimer st
3) Miguel Angel Rubiano 5s
4) Stefan Schumacher 9s
5) Daniel Diaz 12s

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1) 12h 45m 15s Alberto Contador
2) Levi Leipheimer 4s
3) Stefan Schumacher 19s
4) Daniel Diaz 22s
5) Vincenzo Nibali 36s