Robert Forster of Germany won the 15th
stage of the Spanish Vuelta cycling race Sunday, while Alejandro
Valverde retained the overall lead.
The 28-year-old Gerolsteiner rider completed the race in four
hours 24 minutes 55 seconds. Stuart O'Grady of Australia was second
and Danilo Napolitano of Italy was third.
Valverde finished 36th in a mass of cyclists that were all given
the same time as the winner.
Forster, who also won the final stage of the Giro d'Italia, took
advantage of a punctured tire to Erik Zabel and Alessandro Petacchi
being hemmed in on the final bend.
``I'll go to the next Tour de France in the hope of completing a
hat trick,'' Forster said.
Monday is a rest day for the riders.
The 21-stage race ends Sept. 18 in Madrid.
