BESANCON, France -- Bradley Wiggins showed hes the man to beat at the Tour de France, winning the first big time trial and cementing his hold on the yellow jersey he wants to take home in two weeks. . The three-time Olympic track champion is trying to become the first British champion of cyclings premier event. He dominated Mondays race against the clock - a discipline he loves - in the 41.5-kilometre ninth stage between Arc-et-Senans and Besancon. "That was my physical best out there," Wiggins said on French TV after his first stage victory in the Tour. "Its probably my best time trial ever." Christopher Froome, his Sky teammate and countryman who won Saturdays seventh stage, was second - 35 seconds behind. Their 1-2 punch was especially hard on Australian Cadel Evans, the defending champion, who finished 1:43 behind Wiggins in sixth. Evans remains second overall, trailing Wiggins by 1:53. Froome jumped to third, from sixth, and is 2:07 behind his teammate. "I was really motivated - the time trial is my thing," Wiggins said, adding he had worked hard on his riding position, breathing and study of the course. "I am very happy now." Overall, Italys Vincenzo Nibali is in fourth, 2:23 behind, Denis Menchov of Russia is fifth, 3:02 back, and Spains Haimar Zubeldia sits sixth, 3:19 off the leaders pace. Wiggins insisted the three-week race is far from over, saying a crash or illness could douse his victory hopes. He also noted that Evans has vowed to fight to the finish. "Its never over until the fat lady sings, and she hasnt entered the building yet," he said. But the stage raises questions about whether Evans - or anyone else - can challenge Wiggins and his team, which has shown strength in both the climbs and time trials that often determine the Tour winner. Wiggins, who has the vocal support of Froome in his title quest, entered the stage looking to move up in the overall standings -- and a stage victory was not his top priority. "My goal was to get a minute on Cadel. ... Ive come away with a bit more than that, its a bonus," Wiggins said. "Winning the stage is like Christmas - its brilliant." Riders set off one by one down the starters ramp for the time trial. By the first time check, at 16.5 kilometres, Evans was more than a minute slower than Wiggins, but was able to limit the damage. On one of the warmest days so far this Tour, many riders crossed the finish with white spittle ringing their lips, a sign of dehydration. Unlike usual road stages, time trials require solo efforts, placing additional importance on form, concentration and rhythm. Evans was "a little bit disappointed" but insisted the Tour wasnt over. "I rode not my best time trial, but certainly not a bad one," he said, adding Sky had "two very, very, very strong riders today." Evans said hell "fight to the end" but acknowledged he faces a bigger hurdle than last year, when he overcame a 57-second deficit to Andy Schleck in the final time trial a day before the finish in Paris. The Tour "hasnt been optimal" so far, and he was "not in the best position to be in compared to last year," Evans said. Meanwhile, confidence was rising at Sky. Team sports director Sean Yates said Wiggins "took quite a chunk off Cadel ... honestly I was a bit surprised to see how much time he took off Cadel." "Its not gonna be easy for Cadel," Yates added, saying the possibilities of the Australian regaining time "are relatively limited ... but we all know hell keep fighting. Hes an ex-world champion." "There will never be a lack of respect." Tejay Van Garderen, Evans BMC teammate, surprised even himself with a fourth-place finish, 1:06 behind Wiggins. The 24-year American was nine seconds slower than third-place Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, one of the worlds top time-trialists. The Swiss rider won the opening-day time trial and wore the yellow jersey for seven days, until Wiggins captured it Saturday. Cancellara plunged out of competition for the coveted shirt in Sundays ride along seven climbs -- finishing nearly 12 minutes behind Wiggins. Hes not as strong a climber as the Briton, Evans, or Nibali. Van Garderen rose to eighth overall, from 17th, and is 5:14 behind Wiggins. 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. If Wiggins goes the rest of the way in yellow, it would mark the first time that only two riders had worn the leaders jersey in a Tour since Lance Armstrong took it off Estonias Jaan Kirsipuu en route to winning the first of his seven titles in 1999. The Tour ends July 22 in Paris. [url=http://www.ramsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-brian-quick-jersey-me-42.h... Quick Jersey . -- Will Power has won the pole in Sonoma for the third straight year, putting the IndyCar points leader in prime position to go for his third consecutive victory at the track. . According to multiple reports, the 41-year-old Weir was not granted a sponsors exemption for next weeks Northern Trust Open, despite the fact that he has twice won at the Riviera Country Club. [url=http://www.ramsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-chris-givens-jersey-xc-72.... . Alexi Casilla was inserted into the lineup at second base, and Jamey Carroll moved to third for Fridays game. Plouffe hasnt played since he hurt the thumb during a July 20 game against Kansas City. Danny Valencia, who was replaced by Plouffe at third base early in the season, is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. [url=http://www.ramsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-michael-brockers-jersey-lx... Brockers Jersey .Y. -- Bernhard Langer, Kenny Perry and John Huston each shot a 7-under 65 Saturday to lead after finishing the rain-delayed first round of the Champions Tour event. . -- Feeling "a little upset" that Texas didnt move quickly enough to re-sign him, free-agent outfielder Josh Hamilton donned a Los Angeles Angels jersey on Saturday after finalizing a $125 million, five-year contract that he called a new chapter in his life.LONDON -- Nearly a month after leaving the Los Angeles Galaxy, David Beckham is in no rush to find a new team as the former England captain mulls over "a number of serious proposals" from clubs across the world. The 37-year-old midfielder is seeking a final challenge in his illustrious career and has been linked with sides in France, Australia and Asia. A "host of clubs" have come in with offers for Beckham, according to a statement by his management company issued to The Associated Press on Thursday, but it remains "early days in the process." "David is in no hurry to make a decision, the key is making the right one as he has always done successfully in his career," the statement said. Beckham,, one of the most famous sportsmen in the world, ended his five-year stint in the United States by helping the Galaxy win the MLS Cup on Dec. [url=http://www.ramsofficialteamstore.com/autographed-rodger-saffold-jersey-rv-6... Saffold Jersey. 1. He has said a return to the English Premier League, where he starred for Manchester United between 1993-2003, is unlikely. Beckham is also reported to have ruled out a move to Australias A-League. French sports daily LEquipe reported Thursday that Monaco, an ambitious French second-division club, has ended talks with Beckham, although his advisers have refused to comment. "David is enjoying spending quality time with his family over the holidays," his management company said. Beckham has also played for Real Madrid in Spain and AC Milan on loan in Italy. ' ' '