Vuelta a España - Gilbert wins in Malaga

The Belgian from Omega Pharma-Lotto beat one of the overall contenders, Joaquim Rodriguez, by three seconds as they attacked on the uphill finish at the end of the 157km route along the Mediterranean Coast in sweltering conditions.

Gilbert, winner of the Amstel Gold classic in the spring, leads Katusha's Rodriguez by 14 seconds overall as overnight leader Mark Cavendish lost a large chunk of time on the big climb of the Puerto del Leon.

A seven man escape group of Blel Kadri (AG2R-La Mondiale), Javier Ramirez (Andalucia), Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel), Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma Lotto). Serafin Martinez (Xacobeo Galicia), Niki Terpstra (Milram) and Mickaël Chérel (FDJ) formed inside the opening hour of racing and opened up a lead of over nine minutes.

As they hit the first category climb of the Puerto del León with 53km remaining that advantage had been cut in half and the escapees split on the 15.8km ascent with Serafin Martinez reaching the summit with a lead of just under two minutes on the Liquigas led peloton.

The Xacobeo Galicia rider looked set to hang on for a famous victory but was caught on the 1.75km climb to the finish at the Castillo de Gibralfaro.

The 6% ascent looked like it would suit a punchy Classics-type rider and so it proved as Gilbert roared away to take his second Grand Tour victory after winning stage 20 of the Giro d'Italia last year.

Rodriguez, eighth overall in the Tour de France, finished 10 seconds ahead of Igor Anton with a clutch of overall contenders in Vincenzo Nibali, Grega Bole, Nicolas Roche, Denis Menchov, Ezequiel Mosquera and David Arroyo following close behind with Arthur Vichot completing the top 10.

Sickness in the Team Sky camp saw Britain's Ben Swift and South African John-Lee Augustyn abandon the race.
 

Source: eurosport.co.uk