 Valverde was third in the event's opening stage |
Spain's Alejandro Valverde produced a late surge to snatch the third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country. The Iles Balears rider took the lead in the 176km stage with just 100m to go and was able to hold off Giovanni Lombardi and Bjorn Leukemans.
Valverde's team-mate Aitor Osa retains the overall lead, just two seconds ahead of a three-man group.
Last year's Giro d'Italia winner Damiano Cunego is a further three seconds back in fifth.
Stage three results:
1. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Illes Balears) 4:19:09"
2. Giovanni Lombardi (Italy / Team CSC) +2 seconds
3. Bjoern Leukemans (Belgium / Davitamon - Lotto)
4. Miguel Angel Martin Perdiguero (Spain / Phonak)
5. Danilo Di Luca (Italy / Liquigas)
6. Patrice Halgand (France / Credit Agricole)
7. Matthias Kessler (Germany / T-Mobile)
8. Constantino Zaballa (Spain / Saunier Duval)
9. Ricardo Serrano (Spain / Kaiku)
10. Alexandre Botcharov (Russia / Credit Agricole)
Overall standings (after three stages):
1. Aitor Osa (Spain / Illes Balears) 11:22:57"
2. Danilo Di Luca (Italy / Liquigas) +2 seconds
3. Patrice Halgand (France / Credit Agricole) +2
4. Davide Rebellin (Italy / Gerolsteiner) +2
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 