Igor Anton of Spain won the 16th hill-climb stage of the Vuelta on Tuesday, while Alejandro Valverde came in second to retain the overall lead.
The 23-year-old Euskaltel rider completed the 145 kilometres from Almeria to Calar Alto in four hours 29 minutes 42 seconds.
Valverde crossed the finish line just ahead of a pack including Alexandre Vinokou of Kazakhstan and Spain's Samuel Sanchez, all 23 seconds behind Anton.
The stage contained three hill climbs, Alto de Velefique at 1,800 metres, Alto de Calar Alto at 2,160 metres and the final ascent to the astronomical observatory at Calar Alto at 2,090 metres.
Race organizers said eight riders _ Alessandro Petacchi, Luca Paolini, Michael Boogerd, Fabian Cancellara, Cyril Dessel, Xavier Florencio, Bernhard Eisel and Rene Haselbacher _ did not start the stage. No reason was initially given.
Wednesday's stage runs 166.7 kilometres from Adra to Granada.
The 21-stage race ends Monday in Madrid.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
