Voigt goes it alone

Saunier Duval's Angel Gomez Marchante took second-place one minute and 39 seconds behind the CSC leader, and 2006 ProTour champion Alejandro Valverde led a large pack of favourites to finish third a further 14 seconds back.

Vicioso holds onto the overall lead, but Marchante moves within striking distance of the yellow jersey in second-place.

Part of a day-long break on the 176-km stage from Gasteiz to Lekunberri, Voigt went clear 40 km from the finish for the 62nd victory of his career.

Spain's Vicioso suffered on the last climb of the day, the Alto de Azpiroz, to come home in 22nd place.

"I knew I was going to win from a long way out." Voigt told reporters. "I couldn't handle the pace in the first three stages, but I always gradually get stronger and stronger in this race, and that's what happened again this year."

Vicioso could face more attacks in Friday's mountainous 169-km stage from Lekunberri to Oiartzun. The Tour ends on Saturday with a 14-km time-trial.