Sánchez outduels Purito Rodríguez in Vuelta a Burgos opener

Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) has come off a terrific sixth place in the Tour de France to win stage one of the Vuelta a Burgos. Sánchez outsprinted Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) and Sergio Pardilla (Movistar) on the third category climb to Miranda de Ebro, after 168 kilometers of racing. Denis Menchov (Geox - TMC) was fourth. Sánchez took over the leader's jersey, while José Luis Roldán (Andalucía Caja Granada) jumped into the KOM jersey.

Sánchez is on great form these days, after winning the mountains classification in the Tour de France and getting an eighth place in the Klasika San Sebastian. His team was driving the pace behind a trio that dominated the day on the front.

After various attempts, three riders broke clear to form the break of the day, including Roldán. They had a maximum gap of six minutes, but where caught 20 kilometers from the line. Roldán was first over the Portillo de Busto, ahead of Kenny De Ketele (Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator) and Yoann Offredo (Française des Jeux). With his ten points for the category-two climb Roldán had more than Sánchez would receive at the finish (six points).

The small Andalucía Caja Granada did as much as possible for an interesting outcome. "We worked a lot," said team director Antonio Cabello. "We tried from far out until we managed to initiate the break. With Roldán, we got the mountains jersey.we will return tomorrow and try to defend it," Cabello said.

De Ketele took over the intermediate sprint jersey, while Sánchez leads the points classification. The second stage over 189 kilometers takes the riders around the city of Burgos.