Valverde wins 4th stage of Vuelta

Alejandro Valverde won the fourth stage of the three-week Vuelta de Espana cycle race on a day with a finish that was perfectly suited to his ability to sprint uphill on Tuesday.

The Movistar team rider, who finished third in this year's Tour de France and among the favorites for the overall title, was able to overtake Nicholas Roche, who had made a brave attack to win the stage in the last kilometer, in the closing meters of the race.

Tuesday's stage took the rivals along the south of Spain from Estepona to Vejer de la Frontera, a 209 kilometer stage ending with a 4.5 kilometer climb, which included ramps of 18 percent gradient, to the finish line.

That meant all of the main action came in the closing kilometers after the turnoff the main road onto the climb, as the favorites' teams battled for position.

With just under 2 kilometers remaining, Samuel Sanchez launched a strong attack, although Nicholas Roche was able to go with him and the pair opened up a 50 yard gap ahead of the final 500 meters, which climbed at 13 percent.

Roche went for glory, but in the closing meters he was caught by Valverde and Monday's stage winner Peter Sagan as well as Dani Moreno.

The overall classification remains unchanged with Colombian Esteban Chaves, retaining the leader's red jersey ahead of Tom Dumoulin and with Roche in third.

Wednesday sees a mainly flat 167 kilometer stage between Rota and Alcala de Guadaria, which should produce a finish to favor the sprinters. Endi