Another victory for Lastras

Pablo Lastras (Ibanesto.com) claimed his second victory of the Vuelta a Espana after an impressive win in stage 11 on Wednesday. Fellow Spaniard Oscar Sevilla (Kelme) remains the overall leader of the general classification.

Finishing second in the 166.1-kilometre-long ride from Alcobendas to Collado Villalba was compatriot Haimar Zubeldia (Euskaltel) while Denmark's Klaus Moller was two seconds behind in third place. Both riders had broken away with Lastras with 5km remaining.

Lastras, who crossed the finish line in three hours 55 minutes and 57 seconds, is becoming the dark horse of this year's Vuelta. The 26-year-old, who stepped up to the challenge on Sunday after the withdrawal of Ibanesto leader Francesco Mancebo, also captured stage nine in Cordoba.

The peloton, containing approximately 20 riders including race favourites Sevilla and main rival Aitor Gonzalez (Kelme), arrived nine seconds later, just enough time to keep the overall standings unchanged.

Sevilla continues to hold on to the leader's jersey by one tiny second over fellow team mate Gonzalez while Roberto Heras (US Postal) remains in third at 1'42".

The surprise of the day came when Alexandre Vinokourov (Telekom), didn't take the start. The Kazakh, who had been lying in sixth overall, withdrew from the Vuelta with a fever.

Thursday's 12th stage between Segovia and Burgos, by far the longest of the 2002 Vuelta at 210.5km, is relatively flat and definitely one for the sprinters.