With some of the hot-shot sprinters dropped on an earlier climb, Norway's Thor Hushovd won Stage 6 against a reduced field in Murcia on Thursday.
It was the third career Vuelta victory for the 32-year-old, who rides for Cervelo.
Belgian cyclist Phillipe Gilbert of Omega Pharma-Lotto continues to lead the race. In fact, the Top 10 remained intact at the end of the 93-mile stage, with Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Columbia) of the US in 6th place, 29 seconds behind.
A climb that crested about 12 miles from the finish served to split the peloton, which caught a four-man breakaway on the way up.
Hushovd admitted after the race that he suffered a lot on the Alto de la Cresta del Gallo, where speedsters Mark Cavendish and Tyler Farrar were among those who couldn't keep up.
Still, Hushovd beat the likes of Daniele Bennati (Liquigas), Allan Davis (Astana), and Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) at the finish. Gilbert also contested the sprint, finishing in 6th place.
Hushovd credited his team for delivering him to the front of the lead group.
Stage 7 on Friday looks like another stage for the sprinters.
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