Saunier Duval 's Piepoli won the ninth stage

Spanish duo Roberto Heras and Isidro Nozal came second and third, with Floyd Landis of the US Postal team retaining the overall race lead.

The Italian broke away from Heras with 500m left to secure his first major tour stage victory.

Landis fell off the pace with six kilometres left but retained his lead.

Following his success on Saturday's previous stage, Tyler Hamilton tumbled down the rankings after trailing home more than 10 minutes behind.

Stage 9 results:

1 Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) 4 hours 29 mins 36 secs
2 Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) @ 0.0 4 secs
3 Isidro Nozal (Liberty Seguros) @ 0.10 secs
4 Francisco Mancebo (IB-Banesto) @ 0.15 secs
5 Jorge Ferrio (Paternina-Costa De Almeria) @ 0.25 secs
6 Alejandro Valverde (Kelme) @ 0.29 secs
7 Denis Menchov (IB Banesto) @ 0.41 secs
8 Carlos Sastre (Team CSC) @ 0.52 secs
9 Floyd Landis (US Postal) @ 0.55 secs
10 Aitor Gonzalez (Fassa Bortolo) @ 1min 09 secs

Overall Standings after Stage 9:

1 Floyd Landis (USA) US Postal 31hrs 46mins 48secs
2 Manuel Beltran (Sp) US Postal Service @ 33 secs
3 Francisco Mancebo (Sp) IB-Banesto @38 secs
4 Isidro Nozal (Sp) Liberty Seguros @ 51 secs
5 Alejandro Valverde (Sp) Kelme @ 57 secs
6 Roberto Heras (Sp) Liberty Seguros @ 1 min 35 secs
7 Denis Menchov (Rus) IB Banesto @ 1 min 52 secs
8 Carlos Sastre (Sp) Team CSC @ 1 min 55 secs
9 Aitor Gonzalez (Sp) Fassa Bortolo @ 2 mins 25 secs
10 David Blanco (Sp) Kelme @ 3 mins 30 secs