MADRID, April 6, 2010 (AFP) – Controversial Spanish cyclist Alejandro Valverde out sprinted his compatriot Oscar Freire to win the second stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, a 217 kilometer ride on Tuesday between Zierbena and Viana, and keep the overall lead.

“I wanted to cross the finish line in first position. Yesterday (Monday) was also a victory, but it did not have the flavor that I wanted. Today I am really happy,” the Caisse d’Epargne rider said after the race.

Valverde claimed a controversial victory in the first stage of the race on Monday after a sprinting infringement by Freire of the Rabobank team.

In the closing meters of the home straight Freire veered sharply to the left of the road. Valverde, in his wake, tried to come up the inside of the barriers but appeared to be blocked.

After reviewing the incident, race officials relegated speed specialist Freire, a three-time world champion, to the back of the pack and declared Valverde to be the winner of the first stage.

During Tuesday’s stage Michael Rogers, Amets Txurruka and Jose Alberto Benitez broke away from the rest of the group after conquering the Alto de Orduna, a category one climb.

They managed to build-up a lead of 7min 45 sec before the gap began to fall on the second category Alto de Aldea climb, with a strong wind helping to wear the trio down.

The race continues on Wednesday with a 187 kilometer stage between Viana and Amurrio.

Valverde is among the favourites for the overall crown in the six-stage event, which ends on Saturday with a 22 km time trial in Orio.

Stage Results:
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/Caisse D’Epargne) 5hr 53min 40sec, 2. Oscar Freire (ESP/Rabobank) s.t., 3. Francesco Gavazzi (ITA/Lampre-Farnese Vini) at 01sec, 4. Michael Albasini (SUI/Team HTC – Columbia) s.t., 5. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/Euskaltel – Euskadi) s.t., 6. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN/Garmin) s.t., 7.
Kristijan Koren (SLO/Liquigas) s.t., 8. Alexander Kolobnev (RUS/Katusha) s.t., 9. Damiano Cunego (ITA/ Lampre) s.t., 10. Paul Martens (GER/Rabobank) s.t.

Overall Results:
1. Alejandro Valverde (ESP/Caisse D’Epargne) 9hr 51min 38sec, 2. Oscar Freire (ESP/Rabobank) s.t., 3. Ryder Hesjedal (CAN/Garmin) at 01sec, 4.
Alexander Kolobnev (RUS/Katusha) s.t., 5. Rigoberto Uran (COL/Caisse
d’Epargne) s.t., 6. Daniel Martin (IRL/Garmin) s.t., 7. Haimar Zubeldia
(ESP/Radioshack) s.t., 8. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP/Katusha) s.t., 9. Damiano Cunego (ITA/Lampre) s.t., 10. Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL/Omega Pharma-Lotto) s.t.