Gil claims yellow jersey

While a group of six riders, including Michael Rasmussen and Alexandre Moos opted to try their luck with an attack after 12km that grew to 10 midway through the stage, the peloton refused to react, perhaps mindful of the beyond classification climb up the Albulapass.

By the time the final climb had started, the leaders split - with Rasmussen forging ahead, before Australian Simon Gerrens seized the initiative. It was then that Jan Ullrich reacted, with Koldo Gil and Jorg Jacksche among the group that joined him in pursuit of Gerrens.

Gil burst clear of Ullrich and Jacksche passing Gerrens midway up the Albulapass. The two Germans then caught the tiring Australian, and chased Gil down the final descent to La Punt. The 28 year-old from Pamplona was now 40 seconds clear, and so it remained until the finish.

"This is probably the best ever win of my career because I beat big-name riders like Jaksche and Ullrich," Gil told reporters.

"I have to thank my team mate Jose Angel Marchante because he attacked first on the climb and that set me up for my chance. When I jumped away Ullrich and Jaksche were already tired and that helped me get away."

He takes the yellow jersey from Angel Vicioso, who finished over two minutes back. Jaksche moves into second in the general classification, 34 seconds adrift, while Ullrich lies third. It was the latter's performance today though, that will draw attention from his rivals for the Tour de France next month.