PENAFIEL, Spain (AP) — Peter Velits of Slovakia won Wednesday’s time trial stage in the Spanish Vuelta, while Vincenzo Nibali regained the overall lead from Joaquin Rodriguez.
Velits finished the 28.5-mile race against the clock around Penafiel in 52 minutes, 43 seconds to edge defending Vuelta champion Denis Menchov of Russia by 12 seconds.
Nibali was 1:54 behind to reclaim the leader’s red jersey a day after losing it to Rodriguez, who was 6:12 off the pace in 105th.
Nibali, of the Liquigas-Doimo team, leads after 17 stages with a time of 71:19:49. Spanish rider Ezequiel Mosquera is the Italian’s closest rival, 39 seconds back.