Sanchez held off his challengers in the 180km stage

Sanchez made his move eight kilometres from the end on a hazardous descent to claim his second Vuelta stage win.

Norwegian Thor Hushovd finished a few metres behind in second, with Alejandro Valverde retaining his overall lead after securing third place.

Sanchez was delighted with his win and said: "If you don't take risks, you don't win, and I took those risks."

Stage 13 result:
1 S Sanchez (Sp) Euskaltel 4:03.43
2 T Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole same time
3 A Valverde (Sp) Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
4 L Paolini (It) Liquigas s.t.
5 P Bettini (It) Quick Step s.t.
6 D Di Luca (It) Liquigas s.t.
7 R Marzoli (It) Lampre s.t.
8 E Zabel (Ger) Milram s.t.
9 S O'Grady (Aus) Team CSC s.t.
10 A Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana s.t.

Overall standings:
1 A Valverde (Sp) Caisse d'Epargne 53:42.21
2 A Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana +35
3 C Sastre (Sp) Team CSC +52
4 J Marchante (Sp) Saunier Duval +1.04
5 A Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana +1.46
6 J Brajkovic (Slv) Discovery +2.13
7 M Beltran (Sp) Discovery +2.36
8 D Di Luca (It) Liquigas +2.39
9 V Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne +3.10
10 R Marzoli (It) Lampre + 4.07