Canadian Ryder Hesjedal got the better of Spain's David Garcia in a sprint finish to claim the 12th stage of the Vuelta a Espana.
Spaniard Valverde retains overall lead after finishing sixth
Canadian Ryder Hesjedal got the better of Spain's David Garcia in a sprint finish to claim the 12th stage of the Vuelta a Espana.
The Garmin-Slipstream rider, a former mountain bike world champion, covered the 174 kilometre trek from Almeria to Alto de Velefique in five hours, 34 minutes and 31 seconds, while Caisse d'Epargne rider Alejandro Valverde crossed the line in sixth to retain the leader's golden jersey.
A delighted Hesjedal, who became the first Canadian to win a stage on the Vuelta, stated after his victory: "It was really difficult.
"You never know what's going to happen after a rest day. We knew it was going to be a hard day. I just felt great all day."
Garcia had broken away from an 11-man leading group at the start of the third and final climb of the stage, but failed to do enough to shake of his pursuers.
Ultimately he was caught and outdone by Hesjedal who finished a second clear of his rival at the mountain summit.
Holland's Robert Gesink, riding for Rabobank, was five seconds back of the leader in third, with Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo ) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre) in fourth and fifth respectively.
Valverde's sixth place was enough to maintain his overall seven-second advantage over Australian Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), who came home seventh on Friday. Gesink lies third, 18 seconds off the pace.
Saturday's is another mountain stage - a 172km route from Berja to Alto de Sierra Nevada.
Stage result:1. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada / Garmin ) 5hrs 34mins 31secs
2. David Garcia (Spain / Xacobeo ) +1
3. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / Rabobank ) +6
4. Ezequiel Mosquera (Spain / Xacobeo )
5. Damiano Cunego (Italy / Lampre ) +16
6. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne )
7. Cadel Evans (Australia / Silence - Lotto )
8. Ivan Basso (Italy / Liquigas )
9. Tom Danielson (U.S. / Garmin )
10. Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel )
Overall standings:1. Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Caisse d'Epargne ) 51hrs 12mins 38secs
2. Cadel Evans (Australia / Silence - Lotto ) +7"
3. Robert Gesink (Netherlands / Rabobank ) +18"
4. Tom Danielson (U.S. / Garmin ) +51"
5. Ivan Basso (Italy / Liquigas ) +53"
6. Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel ) +1:03"
7. Damiano Cunego (Italy / Lampre ) +2:13"
8. Ezequiel Mosquera (Spain / Xacobeo ) +2:14"
9. Daniel Navarro (Spain / Astana ) +3:53"
10. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne ) +4:01"
