Andrey Kashechkin of Kazakhstan won the 18th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Thursday while countryman Alexandre Vinokourov kept the overall race lead.
The 26-year-old Astana rider completed the 153.1-kilometre stage in three hours 57 minutes and 39 seconds.
Vinokourov had the same time, with Jose Angel Gomez Marchante of Spain 30 seconds back in third. Alejandro Valverde of Spain was 32 seconds off the lead in fourth place.
The cyclists rode north from Granada on a slight ascent that culminated in a category three climb to the 1,130-metre Alto de las Encebras peak. They then ascended the special category climb to the 1,840-metre Alto de la Pandera peak.
Danilo di Luca and Paolo Bettini of Italy didn't start the stage and have dropped out to focus on the upcoming World Road Race Championships, according to organizers.
Friday's stage covers 205.3 kilometres from Jaen to Ciudad Real.
The race ends Sunday in Madrid.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
