MADRID, April 6, 2009 (AFP) – Spain’s Luis Leon Sanchez, who won the Paris-Nice race last month, edged compatriot and Olympic road race champion Samuel Sanchez on the line in a sprint finish to take the first stage of the Tour of the Basque Country in northern Spain here on Monday.

Leon Sanchez covered the 142.5-kilometer course, which started and ended in Ataun, in three hours, 28 minutes and 43 seconds.

“It’s a shame to see the win snatched away from you by half a wheel,” said Samuel Sanchez.

Spain’s Alberto Contador, who won the event last year, finished 13th but with the same time as the winner.

But another pre-race favorite, Carlos Sastre, finished back in 47th place, one minute, 27 seconds behind Luis Leon Sanchez.

“Every day I feel better,” said the Spanish 2008 Tour de France winner before the start of the 49th edition of the Tour of the Basque Country, which ends on Saturday.