Contador wins Golden Bike award

Giro and Vuelta champion Alberto Contador won the Golden Bike award for the best rider of the year for the second consecutive season.

The Spaniard beat time-trial Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara, of Switzerland, and compatriot and Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre in a vote by international cycling writers.

"In my opinion, this trophy is the greatest in the world because it is awarded by the whole specialised press," Contador said.

Although he did not take part in the Tour de France because his Astana team were not invited, Contador was rewarded for an outstanding season in which he became the fifth rider to win the three big Tours.

He won the Tour in 2007 and this year triumphed in the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta.