The Tinkoff-Saxo rider held an overnight lead of 31 seconds over compatriot Alejandro Valverde, and a 1min 20sec lead over Great Britain's Chris Froome.

These advantages grew significantly today, however, as he claimed 15 seconds on Team Sky's Froome - plus an extra four-second time bonus - and a significantly larger margin on Valverde of 55 seconds and 59 seconds on Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.

Team Katusha and Sky took the ascendency for the majority of the stage, keeping the pace high throughout.

After a series of punchy bursts from a number of riders, Froome opted to go clear himself with four-kilometres to go.

Only Contador was able to stick with the Briton as the two caught the sole survivor of the day-long break, Italian Alessandro De Marchi, and rode clear.

There was little change coming into the final kilometre of the stage with Froome taking the front and Contador sticking to his back wheel.

With just 800 metres to go, the Spaniard burned through the gears, however, shooting past the Briton to seal his first win in the Vuelta - or any Grand Tour - since Fuente De in 2012.

Alberto Contador now sits comfortably clear of closest rival Alejandro Valverde after taking his first stage win of the Vuelta a España ©Getty Images



"I've not won the Vuelta but it's an important step forward," said Contador.

"I could distance everybody and that makes me feel satisfied.

"Froome didn't just go for it once, it's hard to see because he attacks sitting down but he accelerated three or four times.

"But my legs could respond each time.

"It's been a good day.

"I saw Sky were working but I still thought I could do something.

"It's a relief to have gained some time on Rodriguez and Valverde.

"But it's not over yet, there are still five more difficult days.

"Anybody can have a bad day.

"I'm taking it step by step."

Overall, Contador's closest rival, Valverde, has dropped from being 30 seconds behind to 1:36, while Froome is now at 1:39 and Rodriguez at 2:29.

Despite a great display by Contador, the stage was marred by the disqualification of Russia's Ivan Rovny and Italian Gianluca Brambilla after the pair came to blows while riding amid the lead group.

In bizarre circumstances, both men landed punches and elbowed each other while continuing to ride in the breakaway group of 13 riders.

It is believed the Omega Pharma-Quick Step rider was upset that Rovny was disrupting the pacemaking in the break.

Tomorrow is the final rest day of this year's race. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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