Garate takes first pro victory

Oscar Sevilla retained the yellow jersey

Spain's Juan Manuel Garate sprinted to his first professional victory to win the 14th stage of the Tour of Spain

The 25-year-old from the Lampre team outpaced fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Dominguez to clinch the 170.5km stage between Tarragona and Vinaros.

The pair had broken away from a 14-strong group and fought out a two-man contest over the last 6km.

New Zealander Julian Dean of the US Postal team finished third, 15 seconds adrift.

No risk

Oscar Sevilla retained the yellow jersey after his Kelme team offered a no risk policy on treacherous, rain-soaked roads.

With none of the riders in the breakaway group threatening the top places in the overall standings the peloton showed little interest in chasing them down.

Garate escaped from an uninterested pack

Mindful that Sunday's stage is the longest of the tour at 207.2km, Sevilla and the peloton coasted in nearly ten minutes behind Garate.

Sevilla still holds a 41-second lead over his only serious rival, Angel Casero of the Festina team.

Third-placed Juan Miguel Mercado is a further one minute 21 seconds back.

Joseba Beloki, who led the race for three days before a spectacular loss of power in the Pyrenees, pulled out before the start of the stage with a viral problem.

Sevilla will hope to extend his lead over Casero in Sunday's mountainous 15th stage that finishes with the special category ascent of Alto de Aitana.