/world sport
LONDON, England -- Spain's Alberto Contador took the 137-kilometer opening stage of the Tour of the Basque Country around the northern town of Legazpia on Monday.
Tour de France champion Contador took maximum advantage of adverse weather conditions.
Astana rider Contador finished the stage in three hours 39 minutes 22 seconds, three seconds ahead of compatriot Ezequiel Mosquera of the Karpin-Galicia team.
Mosquera's team-mate David Herrero headed the main chasing group a further five seconds adrift.
Tour de France champion Contador took maximum advantage of adverse weather conditions during a stage that featured seven climbs.
Mosquera broke away to attack the final hill, forcing Contador -- whose team have been barred from this year's Tour de France as a result of doping scandals over the past two years -- to set off after him with 8-km to go.
Contador attacked 2-km from the line and was able to get away and negotiate the dangerous descent into Legazpia.
"My team again worked so hard," said Contador. "My overall victory in the Tour of Castilla y Leon gave the team extra motivation and confidence.
"We really made an intelligent race. Rain or sunshine, it doesn't matter for me. When you have the right conditions, you can put up with every type of weather.
"Over the next few days, all the other teams will be looking at us, but we are used to it.
"I did not gain so many seconds on the other riders, but we showed again that our team is one of the strongest teams in the world."
Mosquera did well to stay ahead of the following peloton that included pre-race favorites Damiano Cunego of Lampre and Gerolsteiner rider David Rebellin to finish in second spot.
The second stage of the Vuelta is a 153km run from Legazpia to Erandio. E-mail to a friend 
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