Basque Country 3: Spaniards in control
David Herrero took yesterday's stage in the Tour of the Basque Country (RAFA RIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain's David Herrero of the Karpin team won the 195km third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country on Wednesday between Erandio and Viana while Spain's Alberto Contador retained the overall lead.
Herrero had finished third in the first two stages of the race, and now lies third overall, eight seconds behind Astana rider Contador. The 28-year-old Herrero beat out compatriot Luis Leon Sanchez and Italy's Olympic champion Paolo Bettini in a sprint finish for a time of 4hr 54min 24sec.
Breakaway riders Morris Possoni and Paul Martens spent almost four hours ahead of the main peloton but were swallowed up over the closing kilometres.
Contador got a puncture at the 80km mark but had no problems re-entering the main bunch after help from his team-mates.
Today, the riders leave Viana in the direction of Vitoria-Gasteiz, 171km away.
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