Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokourov launched a daring attack just two kilometres from the finish to win Wednesday's third stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, while Spaniard Joaquin Rodriguez grabbed the leader's jersey, AFP reported.
The stage, a 180-kilometre ride from Villatuerta to Zuia-Murgia in northern Spain, was marked several breakaways.
But with minutes to go, Astana breakaway specialist Vinokourov pulled away from the field and went on to stay eight seconds clear of the pack when he reached the line.
Behind him, Spain's Oscar Freire headed the sprint by the peloton to claim second.
Team Katusha rider Rodriguez, who finished in 10th with the same time as the chasing pack, took over the race leadership from Germany's Andreas Kloeden, who was 19th.
On Thursday, the riders take on a tough 179-kilometre ride from Amurrio to Eibar, which includes two first category mountain climbs.