Italian Alessandro Petacchi scooped the bunch sprint to win Sunday's second stage of the Tour of Spain.
German Erik Zabel was second in the 207 k run from Leon to Burgos with Spaniard Oscar Freire finishing third.
It was Petacchi's eighth Vuelta stage win and 18th of the season after two stage wins in Spain in 2002 and five in 2003.
"I was due to ride the Giro d'Italia until this year but after falling in the Tour de France and quitting I decided to go for the Vuelta instead," said the Fassa Bortolo rider.
Dutchman Max Van Heeswijk has taken over from his American team-mate Floyd Landis of the U.S. Postal team as race leader after picking up time bonuses during the stage.
Filed by Eilish Barry
