The American Chris Horner (RadioShack-Leopard) kept a cool head on the third stage of the Tour of Spain and won solo in front of the favorites for the tour victory. As a result, Horner also took over the red jersey from Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).
With just under a kilometer to go, Horner, who had been struggling with knee problems for a long time this season and is now celebrating a strong comeback, broke away from the field and caught up with Ivan Santaromita (BMC) shortly afterwards. The 41-year-old American then increased the pace again. He was able to keep the favorites at a distance.
The day's group was made up of five riders - Vicente Reynes (Lotto), Fabricio Ferrari (Caja Rural), Cyril Bessy (Cofidis), Pablo Urtasun (Euskaltel) and Luca Dodi (Lampre Merida) - who were just under forty kilometers ahead set the goal.
//Result
1. Christopher Horner (RadioShack Leopard) 4:30:18
2. Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar) 0:00:03
3. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Katusha) 0:00:03
4. Rigoberto Uran Uran (Sky) 0:00:03
5. Daniel Martin (Garmin Sharp) 0:00:03
//In total
1. Christopher Horner (RadioShack Leopard) 9:37:40
2. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 0:00:06
3. Nicolas Roche (Saxo-Tinkoff) 0:00:14
4. Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (RadioShack Leopard) 0:00:16
5. Robert Kiserlovski (RadioShack Leopard) 0:00:23