Michael Rasmussen of the Rabobank team won the seventh stage of the Tour of Spain. The 190km stage from Huesca to Cauterets in France was the first of three mountain stages in this year's race.
Rasmussen finished nearly a minute ahead of Colombian Felix Cardenas with Spaniard Manuel Beltran back in third.
Rasmussen attacked 10 km from the line to take the biggest win of his road racing career.
Spaniard Isidro Nozal retained his overall lead despite losing more than two minutes to Rasmussen.
Stage results
1. Michael Rasmussen, Denmark, Rabobank, 5:01:14.
2. Felix Cardenas, Colombia, Labarca 2-Cafe Baque, 55 seconds behind.
3. Manuel Beltran, US Postal, 59.
4. Luis Perez, Spain, Cofiidis, 1:08.
5. Unai Osa, iBanesto.com, 1:10
6. Dario Frigo, Fassa Bartolo, 1:17
7. Francisco Mancebo, Spain, iBanesto.com, 1:24.
8. Alejandro Valverde, Spain, Kelme, 1:26.
9. Felix Garcia Casas, Spain, Team Bianchi, 1:26s
10. Roberto Heras, Spain, US Postal, 1:29.
Overall standings
1. Isidro Nozal, Spain, ONCE, 20:08:37.
2. Manuel Beltran, US Postal, 55 seconds behind.
3. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano, Spain, ONCE, 1:21.
4. Dario Ita Frigo, Italy, Fassa Bartolo, 3:07.
5. Roberto Heras, Spain, US Postal, 3:18.
6. Francisco Mancebo, Spain, iBanesto.com, 3:40.
7. Aitor Gonzalez, Spain, Fassa Bartolo, 4:00.
8. Alejandro Valverde, Spain, Kelme, 4:03.
9. Michael Rasmussen, Denmark, Rabobank, 4:24.
10. Unai Osa, Spain, iBanesto.com, 4:34.
MMIX
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