SABINANIGO, Spain, Sept 9, 2008 (AFP) – Frenchman Sebastien Hinault of Credit Agricole won the tenth stage of the Tour of Spain on Tuesday, a 151.3 km ride from Sabinanigo to Zaragoza.

Egoi Martinez of Euskaltel retained the overall lead after Hinault pulled out the stage win ahead of compatriot Lloyd Mondory and Belgian Greg van Avermaet, who had taken the previous day’s honors.

Spanish triple world champion Oscar Freire came in fourth.

Milram’s Slovakian rider Matej Jurco led a long escape which fizzled out less than 10 kilometres from the line.

Italian Filippo Pozzato, who won the golden jersey after the opening day, tried to snatch it at the sprinters’ expense one kilometer out but was quickly reined in.

Chasing hard on Martinez’s heels are US rider Levi Leipheimer and Spaniard Alberto Contador.