Valverde of the Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears team covered the 154.2 kilometres trek from Leon to the 1,750-metre high Alto de Morredero in four hours one minute five seconds.

``I am very happy with this win and to have made up time. It is a morale boost,'' Valverde said.

Carlos Sastre of CSC was four seconds back in second, with fellow Spaniard Jose Angel Gomez Marchante of Sajnier Duval-Prodir six seconds behind in third.

Brajkovic of the Discovery Channel climbed strongly to finish fourth, seven seconds later, and take the yellow jersey from Italy's Danilo di Luca of Liquigas, who slipped to ninth overall.

Saturday's eighth stage covers 181.6 kilometres from Pontevedra to seaside Lugo.