Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhastan won the eighth stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Saturday while Janez Brajkovic of Slovenia kept his overall lead.

Vinokourov, who rides for Astana Wurth, covered the 181.6 kilometres in four hours two minutes, 11 seconds and moved into 10th place overall. Ruggero Marzoli of Italy was the runner-up, a second behind, and Uros Murn of Slovakia was third.

Brajkovic, a Discovery Channel rider, is five seconds ahead of Alejandro Valverde of Spain in the overall standings.

Sunday's 206-kilometre ninth stage is from A Fonsagrada to Alto de La Cobertoria, a decisive leg featuring six mountain passes and a finishing climb.