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Bradley Wiggins wins Tour time trial, extends lead
July 9, 2012
Bradley Wiggins of Britain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, strains in the last meters to win the 9th stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 41.5 kilometers (25.8 miles) with start in Arc-et-Senans and finish in Besancon, France, Monday July 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
BESANCON, France (AP) — Bradley Wiggins of Britain won the first big time trial of the Tour de France on Monday and extended his overall lead.
The three-time Olympic track champion underlined his command of cycling's showcase race in the 25.8-mile ninth stage between Arc-et-Senans and Besancon. He beat runner-up Christopher Froome of Britain by 35 seconds.
The stage marked the dominance of the Sky Team, with Wiggins and Froome delivering a 1-2 punch — notably to defending champion Cadel Evans, who finished 1:43 behind Wiggins in sixth place.
Evans remains second overall, trailing Wiggins by 1:53. Froome jumped to third, from sixth, and is 2:07 behind his teammate.
After 10 straight days of racing, the 178-rider pack gets its first rest day Tuesday. The field then faces two hard days in the Alps, including a summit finish Thursday that is likely to shake up the standings.
(Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
