Valverde, riding for the Movistar team, was adding this 174.7km ride from Lleida to Collada de la Gallina in Andorra to his win in the third stage in Alcaniz.

The 32-year-old prevailed in a sprint from Rodriguez and Saxo-Bank’s Alberto Contador after the climb up the Col de la Gallina. Team Sky’s Christopher Froome crossed the line in fourth, 15 seconds behind this trio.