David Lopez of Spain won the ninth stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday, while Igor Anton retained the overall leader's red jersey.

The Caisse d'Epargne rider broke away from a five-man group with five kilometers to go in the 187.7-kilometer (116.6-mile) leg that featured seven special category climbs along the southeast Spain route.

Lopez completed his first stage victory at a major race in 5 hours, 20 minutes, 51 seconds.

Roman Kreuzinger of the Czech Republic was six-seconds behind and Gianpaolo Caruso of Italy crossed the line third.

Anton, the overnight leader, was first ahead of fellow Spanish rider Joaquin Fernandez despite sharing the same overall time of 37:56:42. Vincenzo Nibali of Italy remained two seconds behind while Xavier Tondo of Spain was next closest 42 seconds back.

Lopez and David Moncoutie of Cofidis had moved over eight minutes ahead of the peloton with 11 kilometers to race but were soon joined by Kreuzinger, Caruso and Egoi Martinez of Euskaltel Euskadi as the riders started the Alto de Revolcat climb.

Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

Lopez pulled away on the descent to ensure he could cross the line alone ahead of Liquigas' Kreuzinger, while Caruso finished 13 seconds further afield in third. Moncoutie was fourth, while Martinez finished sixth behind Biel Kadri of France.

Anton and Martinez both crossed the line 7:02 back of Lopez to stay top, same time as Frank Schleck who now trails Anton by 1:47. Defending champion Denis Menchov slipped 3:29 behind.

Monday is the first rest day of the 21-stage race, with the field picking up the 65th edition of the Spanish classic for Tuesday's 175.7-kilomter (109.2-mile) leg from Tarragona to Vilanova i la Geltru.

Click here for full results from stage 9 of the 2010 Vuelta a Espana.

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