Karsten Kroon (CSC) wanted to win a stage at Paris-Nice earlier this month to demonstrate he’s on track for the upcoming spring classics.

He could only manage second in a breakaway stage into Sisteron, but the 32-year-old Dutch rider made up for the close call with a tidy sprint finish Tuesday in the second stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y León to prove his point.

“I’ve never felt better coming into the spring as this year,” Kroon said. “Last year, I had some health problems and had an injury, but this year has been without mishap and I really want to try to win one of the big classics this year.”

Castilla y León Stage 2: Contador keeps the jersey

Photo: Graham Watson

Alberto Contador (Astana) retained his four-second lead over teammate Levi Leipheimer to stay comfortably in the overall leader’s jersey. Contador, a winner of Monday’s opening time trial, sprinted to fifth with Tyler Farrar (Slipstream-Chipotle) on his wheel.

Slipstream moved up into the lead of the team classification as sunny skies and cool temperatures welcomed the peloton for the 141.7km second stage from Segovia to Ávila.

Several riders tried in vain to slip away over the day’s third and final Cat. 2 climb, but Astana drilled the pace at the front of the pack to pick off the breakaway attempts one by one.

Astana’s hard work neutralized the final threat with 6km to go, but the steep run along the ramparts of Ávila’s walled city served up an exciting finale in the same finishing straight featured in the Vuelta a España.

Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) jumped with just under two kilometers to go over rough cobblestones. Giving chase was David de la Fuente (Saunier Duval), but Rabobank chased it down with 500 meters to go.

Thomas Dekker (Rabobank) opened up his sprint, but Kroon was perfectly placed right on his wheel and he easily came around his compatriot to snag the victory.

The 23rd Vuelta a Castilla y León continues Wednesday with the 159km third stage from Valladolid to Villa del Libro de Urueña. The rolling stage across the wheat fields of northern Spain features no rated climbs, but plenty of hills and wind.