Vinokourov sprints to victory

Alexandre Vinokourov celebrates winning the 18th stage

Alexandre Vinokourov won the 18th stage of the Tour of Spain, but overall leader Roberto Heras maintained his comfortable lead.

The Kazakhstani became the first Telekom rider to win a stage in the Tour after storming to the front of the pack with just 500m to go in the 159km stage from Bejar to Ciudad Rodrigo.

Earlier, Jose Garcia Costa took the lead after 65km and was soon joined by Euskaltel's Roberto Laiseka.

Advantage

But they never gained a considerable advantage over the peloton and with just 25km to go, Vinokourov made his move to the front and gained a well earned victory in three hours 52 minutes 54 seconds, just ahead of the two Spaniards.

Heras still leads Angel Casero by three minutes 41 secs as they go into Friday's 19th stage, a 130km route from Salamanca to Avila.

Meanwhile Mario Cipollini's suspension after his expulsion from the Tour of Spain will end on Monday.

A spokesman for his team Saeco said: "Cipollini will be at the disposition of the Saeco team as of Monday 18 September when the Tour of Spain finishes."

Cipollini was thrown off the Tour of Spain for assaulting a fellow rider at the start of the fifth stage on 30 August.

The Italian apologised after punching Spanish rival Francisco Cerezo who needed three stitches in his forehead.