Perez wins stage two

Spanish rider Luis Perez (Cofidis) won the second stage of the Vuelta a Espana, a 148-kilometre ride from Gijon to Cangas de Onis, on Sunday. Fellow countryman Carlos Sastre of the CSC team was a close second. Joaquin Rodriguez, also of Spain, knocked Igo

Eurosport

Image credit: TNT Sports

Perez broke away with Carlos Sastre on the final climb - the category one Alto Mirador del Fito - and then outsprinted his compatriot in the final 200 metres on the streets of Cangas de Onis.

While the other two major tours - the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia - begin with flat, sprinter-like stages, the first flat stage of the 2003 Vuelta was by no means easy, featuring three major climbs.

Spaniards Angel Casero, the 2001 winner, and Aitor Gonzalez, the defending champion, finished over a minute behind Perez and Sastre.

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The overall lead had been held by Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano after Saturday's team time trial but the Spaniard fell victim of the quick pace over the final climb.

Rodriguez will therefore wear the golden jersey for Monday's third stage, a 154.3-km ride from Cangas de Onis to Santander. Follow the stage live from 14:00 CET on eurosport.com!

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