Swiss Zberg takes the second stage
ZALLA, Spain (Reuters) -- Swiss rider Beat Zberg held off a fast-finishing pack to take the 180-km second stage of the Tour of the Basque Country at Zalla on Tuesday.
Zberg, of Germany's Gerolsteiner team, worked his way to the front 300 meters from the line and produced an impressive burst of power to claim victory.
Spain's Samuel Sanchez of the local Euskaltel team was second, and Mauricio Ardila third. Fellow Italian Danilo Di Luca of Saeco is the new overall race leader.
Di Luca crossed the line in fourth, while compatriot Davide Rebellin is second overall and Spain's Aitor Osa third.
Alejandro Valverde, who won Monday's opening stage, drops to fourth place overall but has the same overall time as Di Luca.
Earlier, there were several breakaways from the main pack but the peloton ran down the last of these some 20 km from the finish and the sprint specialists were left to scrap it out for the stage.
The five-day tour continues with a 169-km third stage from Zalla to Vitoria on Wednesday.
