Contador wins Stage 8

The 23 year-old from Madrid made sure he was part of the nine-rider breakaway that formed 110kms from the finish and then attacked alone on the final Gotthardpass climb, 33km from the finish in Ambri.

His advantage fell as Jan Ullrich's T-Mobile team led the chase but he made it over a short final climb and won by 34 seconds.

Compatriot David Herrero, riding for Euskaltel, was second and Australia's Cadel Evans was third, also at 34 seconds.

Spain's Koldo Gil of the Saunier Duval team finished fifth at 37 seconds and retained the overall race lead.

"I'd dropped out of the leading placing overall and so specifically focused on winning this stage," Contador told reporters.

"I worked hard to get in the decisive breakaway and then attacked hard on the last climb. The descent was very difficult and so was the last little climb but I knew I was racing to win the stage and so pushed myself to stay clear of the chasers."

Contador became the fourth Spaniard to win a stage in this year's Tour of Switzerland but lost time in the earlier mountain stages and has no chance of overall victory.

He predicted the battle for the race winner's yellow jersey would be between his team mate Jorg Jaksche and Tour de France favourite Ullrich.

Germans Jaksche and Ullrich are second and third overall, 30 and 50 seconds behind Gil.

"Jorg is racing well and is a time trial specialist and so I hope he can win but Jan Ullrich is looking very strong," Contador said.

"I think they'll both move past Gil but it'll be a close battle between them for overall victory."

The 30-km time trial between Kerzers and Bern includes several short climbs and a final section in the city centre.

In 2004 Ullrich snatched victory in Switzerland by one second after winning the final time trial.