Lopez conquers all for Vuelta stage win

Lopez crossed the finish line on his own after breaking away from a small group of leaders with some five kilometres to go in the 187.7 kilometre route from Calpe to Alcoy in south-eastern Spain.

He completed the stage, which included seven climbs, including one just seven kilometres from the finish line, in 5 hours, 20 minutes and 51 seconds, six seconds ahead of his nearest rival, Czech rider Roman Kreuziger and a further seven seconds ahead of third place Giampaolo Caruso of Katusha.

"It is incredible, I fought for the victory with all my strength. More than need it, I believe we deserved it because we worked as a team," Lopez told reporters after completing his first stage victory at a major race.

"It is without a doubt the biggest victory of my career. It still has not sunk in because I am not used to victories," he added.

Anton of Euskaltel finished in 16th place to retain the lead in the general classification ahead of countryman Joaquin Fernandez, who shares the same overall time.

Italy's veteran specialist sprinter Alessandro Petacchi pulled out of the stage after about 50 kilometres due to the injuries he suffered in a fall involving a number of leading riders during the eighth stage on Saturday.

"I am in pieces. My arm is very sore, I slept badly and my morale is low. I don't know how far I could go in this stage," the Lampre rider told reporters before the start of Sunday's stage.

He won the seventh stage of the race, the 20th Tour of Spain stage win of his career.

The riders will have their first rest day on Monday since the 65th edition of the Tour of Spain got underway last Saturday with a team time trial through the streets of Seville.

The 21-stage race will resume on Tuesday with a 175.7 kilometre ride between Tarragona and Vilanova i la Geltru in northeastern Spain.

Stage nine results:
1. David Lopez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne 5:20:51 , 2. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo 0:00:06, 3. Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Team Katusha 0:00:13, 4. David Moncoutie (Fra) Cofidis, le crédit en ligne 0:00:21, 5. Blel Kadri (Fra) Ag2R-La Mondiale 0:00:27, 6. Egoï Martinez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euska, 8. Gonzalo Rabunal (Spa) Xacobeo Galicia 0:02:36, 9. Oscar Pujol (Spa) Cervélo Test Team 0:03:52, 10. Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:04:17

Overall classification:
1. Igor Anton (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 37:56:42, 2. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha, 3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo 0:00:02, 4. Xavier Tondo (Spa) Cervélo Test Team 0:00:42, 5. Jean-Christophe Peraud (Fra) Omega Pharma-Lotto 0:00:52, 6. Ruben Plaza (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne 0:01:15, 7. Ezequiel Mosquera (Spa) Xacobeo Galicia 0:01:18, 8. Nicolas Roche (Irl) Ag2R-La Mondiale 0:01:19, 9. Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Caisse d’Epargne 0:01:22, 10. Peter Velits (Svk) Team HTC-Columbia 0:01:26, 11. Tejay Van Garderen (USA) Team HTC-Columbia

Australians:
110. Allan Davis (Aus) Astana 1:01:37, 157. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Team Saxo Bank 1:25:44, 165. Matthew Goss (Aus) Team HTC-Columbia 1:31:49, 166. Matthew Wilson (Aus) Garmin-Transitions 1:32:24, 172. Johnnie Walker (Aus) Footon-Servetto 1:35:51