Valverde celebrates his win

Spanish sprint specialist Alejandro Valverde powered his way to victory in the opening stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Monday.

The Kelme rider overtook Russian Denis Menchov in the final stretch of the 139-km stage and then held off Angel Vicioso of the Liberty Seguros team.

Italians Davide Rebellin and Danilo di Luca finished in third and fourth and Spain's Jorge Ferrio was fifth.

Local favourite Joseba Beloki abandoned the race some 40km from the finish.

Stage 1 results and overall standings

1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Comunitat Valenciana-Kelme 139km in 3.25.49 (40.52kph)
2 Angel Vicioso (Spa) Liberty Seguros
3 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner
4 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Saeco
5 Jorge Ferrio (Spa) Costa de Almeria
6 David Etxebarria (Spa) Euskaltel
7 Aitor Osa (Spa) Illes Balears
8 Koldo Gil (Spa) Liberty Seguros 0.03
9 Jos� Azevedo (Spa) US Postal
10 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank

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