Argentina's Juan Jose Haedo won the 16th stage of the Vuelta a Espana today while Juan Jose Cobo extended his lead over Team Sky duo Christopher Froome and Bradley Wiggins at the top of the overall classification.
Haedo, of Saxo Bank-Sungard, took advantage of a mix-up that saw a couple of the leading riders take a wrong turn as the peloton prepared for the final sprint at the end of the 188-kilometre ride from Villa Romana La Olmeda to Haro.
Amid the confusion Haedo broke away to clinch the victory ahead of Italian duo Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD) and Daniele Bennati (Leopard Trek).
Spaniard Cobo (Geox-TMC) was 10th on the stage and he increased his advantage over nearest challenger Froome at the top of the overall standings by two seconds to 22.
Wiggins, who found himself 46 seconds adrift of Cobo after losing the lead on Sunday's 15th stage - yesterday was a rest day - dropped a further five seconds back after finishing 22nd today, nine places behind Froome.
Nicolas Roche finished in 11th place is now 18th overall 9 minutes 18 seconds behind the leader.
Daniel Martin finished 35th in today's stage and is in 15th in the overall classification, 6 minutes 47 seconds off the lead.
The Tour of Spain finishes in Madrid on 11 September.
