Perez claims 14th stage in Spain
GRENADA, Spain -- Santiago Perez, of the Phonak team, won the 167km 14th stage of the Tour of Spain cycling race from Malaga to here on Saturday and dedicated it to his fiancee who died two years ago.
Fellow Spaniard Roberto Heras retained the overall lead after a stage in which Australian sprinter Stuart O'Grady did not start.
Perez, whose girlfriend died in a car accident, attacked in the last few hundred meters of the final climb of the day.
He then held on for the last 20 kilometers to cross the line first ahead of Alejandro Valverde and Luis Perez.
"I have been trying for two years to get a victory to dedicate to my fiancee. But now I have done it and it's an emotional occasion," said Perez moments after the victory podium.
On crossing the line, he unbuttoned his jersey before kissing his neck chain with reverence and pointing towards the sky.
Vanesa died in a car accident two years ago after which Perez, who had been showing great promise in the professional ranks and even won a stage on the 2002 Tour of Italy, failed to earn a victory till now.
On Sunday, the 15th stage is a 29.6km time-trial to a summit finish at Sierra Nevada which is expected to shake up the overall standings.
