Cycling: Sergent second in final stage, Contador wins title

Alberto Contador won the Spanish Vuelta for a third time. Photo / AP

New Zealand's Jesse Sergent has finished the Spanish Vuelta on a high with a second placing in the final stage - a 9.7-kilometre time trial.

The Trek Factory Racing rider and two-time Olympic bronze medalist finished eight seconds behind stage winner Adriano Malori of Italy.

Fellow New Zealander Sam Bewley was 13th in the stage with Greg Henderson three places back.

Alberto Contador won the Spanish Vuelta for a third time after protecting his lead on the final stage, giving the Spaniard his sixth grand tour title.

Contador entered the concluding individual time trial with a healthy lead of 1 minute, 37 seconds over fellow former Tour de France winner Chris Froome and focused on avoiding any slips on the rain-slick streets.

Froome finished the race second and Alejandro Valverde completed the podium.

Contador won the Vuelta in 2008 and 2012 and clinched the Giro d'Italia in 2008.

The 31-year-old won the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009, but was stripped of a third Tour win in 2010 for doping.

George Bennett was the best finishing New Zealander in the tour with an 89th placing overall.