Zabel sprints to victory

Zabel took yet another victory in a sprint

Legendary German cycling sprinter Erik Zabel has won the second stage of the Tour of Spain.

The 31-year-old, who won his sixth consecutive Tour de France green jersey for sprinting in July, beat home Spaniard Oscar Freire and Australian Robbie McEwen at the end of the 147.2km (91.5 miles) stage.

First-stage winner David Millar of Britain retains the gold jersey of the overall leader after he won the opening stage, a 12km time-trial, on Saturday.

Millar was not far behind Zabel in the mass finish.

Millar has held onto the overall lead

Defending Tour of Spain champion Roberto Heras was also in the leading bunch.

Zabel displayed his trademark power to clinch the victory.

He stormed past Spaniard Oscar Freire on the tough uphill section that led to the finish to take his first victory in the Vuelta.

Earlier in the day, Spain's Jose Manuel Vazquez broke clear of the slow-moving peloton.

He made his bid not long after the 50km mark and at one point had a lead of as much as three minutes.

But he was overtaken comfortably in the last third of the day's ride.

Santiago Botero of Kelme continues to breath down Millar's neck.

The Colombian remains one second behind the Maltese-born Scot, while US Postal Service's Levy Leipheimer is five seconds further back.

Once's Joseba Beloki is fifth, 23 seconds off the pace, while 1998 Vuelta winner Abraham Olano is 12th and defending champion Roberto Heras 32nd.

Leading placings in the 147.2-km second stage of the Tour of Spain between Salamanca and Valladolid.

1 Erik Zabel (Ger) Telekom three hours 34 minutes 28 seconds
2 Oscar Freire (Spa) Mapei
3 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Domo-Farm Frites
4 Angel Edo (Spa) Milanesa-MSS all same time
5 David Etxebarria (Spa) Euskadi-Euskaltel 3 seconds behind
6 Martin Perdiguero (Spa) Cantina Tollo
7 Pedro Horrillo (Spa) Mapei
8 Janek Tombak (Est) Cofidis
9 David Millar (GB) Cofidis
10 Salvatore Commesso (Ita) Saeco
11 Andrea Noe (Ita) Mapei
12 Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) Once
13 Danilo Hondo (Ger) Telekom
14 Levi Leipheimer (US) US Postal
15 Alberto Martinez (Spa) Euskadi-Euskaltel
16 Juan Carlos Dominguez (Spa) iBanesto.com
17 Jose Gutierrez (Spa) Kelme
18 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme
19 Santiago Botero (Col) Kelme
20 Massimo Giunti (Ita) Cantina Tollo all same time

Leading overall standings:

1 David Millar (GB) 3 hours 49 minutes 27 seconds
2 Santiago Botero (Col) Kelme 1 second behind
3 Levi Leipheimer (US) US Postal 6
4 Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) Once 17
5 Joseba Beloki (Spain) Once 23
6 David Plaza (Spa) Festina 24
7 Jose Gutierrez (Spa) Kelme 25
8 Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spa) Once 26
9 Joerg Jaksche (Ger) Once same time
10 Pedro Horrillo (Spa) Mapei 28
11 Marco Pinotti (Ita) Lampre-Daikin 30
12 Abraham Olano (Spa) Once 31
13 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Once 32
14 Antonio Tauler (Spa) Kelme 33
15 Angel Vicioso (Spa) Kelme 34
16 Angel Casero (Spa) Festina same time
17 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme 35
18 Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) US Postal 37
19 Santos Gonzalez (Spa) Once same time
20 Inigo Cuesta (Spa) Cofidis 39