( dpa ) - Spain's David Arroyo on Friday won the third-final stage of the Vuelta, beating Belarussian Vasili Kirijenka at the finish.
The two, together with Frenchman Julien Loubet, were the only ones remaining from a three-man break-away group with 10 kilometres to go, but as the peloton came closer, Loubet fell behind and was caught.
Arrayo, who rides for the Caisse d'Epargne team, needed 3 hours 27.03 minutes for the 145.5 kilometre-long stage from Las Rozas to Segovia.
At the last rise of the stage Arroya managed to get away from Kirijenka, who had previously done all the hard work to keep the three riders ahead of the peloton.
Third place went to Belgian Nick Nuyens.
Astana cyclist Alberto Contador continues to have a 1 minute 17 second lead from his team-mate Levi Leipheimer.