Valverde leads Spanish Vuelta cycling race

JAEN, Spain – Alejandro Valverde took the overall lead of the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday after winning the second stage. Caisse d’Epargne rider Valverde timed his final sprint perfectly to distance himself from the pack and finish the 103.9-mile ride from Granada to Jaen in four hours, 23 minutes, 0 seconds. He finished 2 seconds ahead of Italians Davide Rebellin of Gerolsteiner and Alessandro Ballan of Lampre. “We have won a stage and placed myself as leader, just like we did in the Tour de France, which was my aim for the day," the 28-year-old Spaniard said. Valverde leads Liquigas rider Filippo Pozzato of Italy by 13 seconds in the overall standings. The cycling season’s third major stage race covers 1,947 miles and ends September 21 with a ride through the streets of Madrid. Monday’s third stage is a 105-mile ride from Granada to Cordoba that includes a moderate ascent. – AP