MADRID, April 8, 2010 (AFP) – Spain’s Samuel Sanchez, riding for the Euskaltel team, on Thursday won the fourth stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, a 160km ride from Murgia Zuia to Eibar.

Compatriot Alejandro Valverde, of the Caisse d’Epargne team, who was second on the day, took the overall lead.

Sanchez, an Olympic road race champion, was overjoyed to have won the Basque team’s first race of the season on home turf.

“This is the first victory by the team and it took place in the best possible place, I am proud to win here,” he said, after pulling on a traditional Basque hat on the podium.

Sanchez caught Chris Horner of RadioShack over the top of the tough Alto de Usartza climb and then dived down the short descent to the finish to win the stage in 4 hours, 5 minutes, 16 seconds, just two seconds ahead of Valverde.

The six-stage event ends Saturday with a 22 km time trial in Orio.

Stage 4 Results:
1. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/Euskaltel), les 160 km en 4 h 05:16.
2. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) à 02.
3. Robert Gesink (NED) m.t.
4. Christopher Horner (USA) m.t.
5. Beñat Intxausti (ESP) 33.
6. Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA) m.t.
7. Damiano Cunego (ITA) 40.
8. Andy Schleck (LUX) m.t.
9. Sandy Casar (FRA) 49.
10. Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP) m.t.

Overall Results:
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) 18 h 46:50.
2. Christopher Horner (USA) à 01.
3. Robert Gesink (NED) m.t.
4. Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA) 32.
5. Beñat Intxausti (ESP) m.t.
6. Damiano Cunego (ITA) 39.
7. Andy Schleck (LUX) m.t.
8. Marco Pinotti (ITA) 48.
9. Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP) m.t.
10. Sandy Casar (FRA) m.t.