He now boasts a 36 second lead over Colombian rival Esteban Chaves in the overall standings.

The Team Sky rider, seeking to become just the third person to win the Vuelta and Tour de France in the same year, attacked in the final 800 metres of a 174 kilometres stage from Orihuela to Cumbre del Sol.

Orica-Scott's Chaves led the chase alongside Cannondale-Drapac's Michael Woods.

But, as the road steepened, Froome dug deep to win in 4 hours 7min 13sec and claim 10 bonus seconds for his victory.

His overall lead is far from decisive, but, if he maintains his current form it appears hard to see him being beaten.

Chaves rolled home four seconds behind with Canadian Woods a further second back.

Ireland and BMC Racing's Nicholas Roche remains in third place overall despite finishing ninth, 14 seconds behind Froome, today.

He now lies 1:05 back overall.

Bahrain-Merida's Italian Vincenzo Nibali, the overall winner in 2010, sits a further 12 seconds back in fourth overall after crossing 10th today.

A rest day will take place tomorrow.

The peloton will then tackle another daunting 164.8km mountain stage from Caravaca Jubilar to Elpozo Alimentacion on Tuesday (August 29).