Nibali win Spanish Vuelta, while US sprinter Farrar wins final stage in Madrid

Italian rider Nibali wins Spanish Vuelta

MADRID — Vincenzo Nibali won the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday after Tyler Farrar of the United States sprinted to victory in the final stage just ahead of Britain’s Mark Cavendish.

Nibali won the overall race in 87 hours, 18 minutes, 31 seconds, while Ezequiel Mosquera finished 41 seconds back in second. Peter Velits was third, 3:04 behind the winner.

Nibali became the first Italian since Marco Giovannetti in 1990 to win the Spanish classic, his triumph essentially sealed when he held off Mosquera’s challenge a day earlier in a grueling mountain top finish near Madrid.

“Victory in the Vuelta is very important for me because it puts me up there with the top riders. Now, there’s nothing I can’t aim for,” Nibali told Italian media. “Alberto Contador is the number one in stage races and it’s very difficult to beat him. But one day, I hope I’ll be able to take him on in the Tour de France.”

Summing up his attitude toward cycling’s two other major stage races, Nibali said: “The Tour de France is in my thoughts, but the Giro d’Italia is in my heart.”

Farrar crossed the line in 2 hours, 2 minutes, 24 seconds after a 52.8-mile ride from San Sebastian de los Reyes to Madrid. Cavendish crossed the line just behind the Garmin-Slipstream rider and Allan Davis of Australia was third with the same time.

“Winning two stages in the Vuelta is more than I had hoped for and my team was incredible,” said Farrar, who will head to Australia and the world championships.

Cavendish won the green jersey for the event’s combined points crown, while French cyclist David Moncoutie was the top climber for the third straight year.

Katusha of Russia was the top team, edging Caisse d’Epargne by 33 seconds.