Double victory for Zabel

Zabel clinched his second straight stage win

Erik Zabel sped to his second consecutive Tour of Spain stage win on Monday.

The German star clinched victory in the tour's third stage, a 140.5-kilometre run from Valladolid to Leon.

Despite his double success, the 31-year-old could not dispossess Scotland's David Millar of the overall leader's jersey.

Zabel finished ahead of Australian Robbie McEwen and Telekom team-mate and compatriot Danilo Hondo in a full-blooded sprint to the finish line. Millar finished safely in the leading pack.

"It was an easier victory than yesterday," Zabel said.

I think my rivals had a far harder time following my wheel today than yesterday

Erik Zabel

"First because the finish was flat as opposed to uphill, secondly because my team-mates did not have to do any serious work until the final kilometres.

"And thirdly because my team-mates guided me perfectly through the streets of Leon.

"I think my rivals had a far harder time following my wheel today than yesterday."

Italian rider Endrio Leoni and Argentine Martin Garrido clashed as they pushed for the line with Leoni's antics almost causing his expulsion from the Tour.

American Levy Leipheimer also saw his progress disrupted by a series of crashes during the stage.

Leipheimer, who started third overnight, lost more than a minute, while another of the overall race favourites, Tour de France third-place finisher Joseba Beloki also lost time.

"It was very nervous but I got through with no problems," Millar said afterwards.

"[Santiago] Botero has shown today he is very strong."

The Spaniard is just one second behind the Briton overall.

Third stage placings:

1. Erik Zabel (Germany) Telekom 3 hours 2 minutes 50 seconds
2. Robbie McEwen (Australia) Domo-Farm Frites
3. Danilo Hondo (Germany) Telekom
4. Sven Teutenberg (Germany) Festina
5. Luca Paolini (Italy) Mapei
6. Martin Garrido (Argentina) Relax-Fuenlabrada
7. Endrio Leoni (Italy) Mapei
8. Pedro Horrillo (Spain) Mapei
9. Julian Dean (New Zealand) US Postal
10. Janek Tombak (Estonia) Cofidis

Overall standings:

1. David Millar (Britain) 6 hours 52 minutes 17 seconds
2. Santiago Botero (Colombia) Kelme 1 second behind
3. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spain) Once 17
4. Jose Gutierrez (Spain) Kelme 25
5. Pedro Horrillo (Spain) Mapei 28
6. Angel Vicioso (Spain) Kelme 34
7. Oscar Sevilla (Spain) Kelme 35
8. Robert Hunter (South Africa) Lampre-Daikin 40
9. David Canada (Spain) Mapei 43
10. Andrea Noe (Italy) Mapei 44