Alejandro Valverde of Spain took the overall lead in the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday after finishing second to Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan in the ninth stage, the toughest of the race.

Vinokourov, who also won Saturday's stage, covered a 206-kilometre route that featured six mountain passes in five hours 50 minutes 43 seconds.

Valverde, who rides for Caisse d'Epargne-Illes Balears, was the runner-up, 16 seconds behind. Andrey Kashechkin of Kazakhstan was third, 21 seconds back.

``To wear this yellow jersey is very special,'' Valverde said. ``And now I'll have to defend it.''

Janez Brajkovic of Slovenia was unable to hold his lead for a third consecutive day and lost 2:05 to Valverde. He dropped to sixth.

Vinokourov attacked with Kashechkin in the last kilometres of the stage before pulling away by himself close to the finish.

``It was a difficult stage, but our attack was perfect,'' Vinokourov said. ``We've tried to some put distance with our most dangerous rivals that were fast approaching.''

Monday is a rest day. The 21-leg Vuleta, the last major tour of the European cycling season, ends Sept. 18 in Madrid.