Valverde takes golden jersey in Spain

Spaniard Gustavo Cesar Veloso took a solo win on stage nine of the Tour of Spain on Monday and his compatriot Alejandro Valverde moved into the overall lead.

Second behind the Xacobeo-Galicia rider on the mountainous stage from Alcoy to Xorret to Cati was Italy's Marco Manzano.

Valverde finished third on the stage and leads the race from Australia's Cadel Evans and Dutchman Robert Gesink.

Ireland’s Philip Deignan finished 33rd, two minutes behind the winner, while Daniel Martin was a further minute back in 51st.

Deignan lies 22nd overall, six minutes down, and Martin is now 33rd, 10 minutes behind Valverde.

The Tour of Spain finishes in Madrid on 20 September.