Alto de Velefique, Spain - Ryder Hesjedal of Canada beat Spain's David Garcia in a sprint to the line while Alejandro Valverde keept the golden jersey of the overall Tour of Spain leader after the 12th stage. The former mountainbike world champion Hesjedal, from the Garmin team, won the 179.3 kilometres from Almeria to the top of the Velefiquo in 5 hours 34 minutes 31 seconds.
Garcia, who broke an 11-man leader group at the start of the third and final climb of the day, was not rewarded as he trailed by one second on the line.
Dutchman Robert Gesink placed third, six seconds adrift, while Valverde crossed the line in sixth place 16 seconds behind the winner.
The Caisse d'Epargne rider Valverde kept his seven-second advantage over Australian Cadel Evans. Gesink remained third, but halved his deficit from 36 to 18 seconds with his attack on the final 1000m.
The Vuelta continues on Saturday with another mountain stage over 172km from Berja to Sierra Nevada.
