Day of destiny for Vino

After heartbreak on Friday when Vinokourov was swept up by race favourite Alejandro Valverde with just metres to spare, the Kazakh put things right with an unexpected break at the death on Saturday which caught all the sprinters unawares.

With much admiration, Norway's Thor Hushovd congratulated the riders Herculean efforts, saying: "To do what he did today, you have to be extremely strong."

In his own estimation, Vino simply attacked out curiosity and in a bid to heal the wounds of Friday's defeat and a weak first mountain stage at Covatilla on Wednesday as quickly as possible.

"I attacked just to see what would happen," he said. "I experienced a difficult moment on the climb to La Covatilla but I managed to finish well and, above all, limit my losses. It's my first major Tour of the season and I needed to know where I was."

At 2'07" from the surprise leader, youngster Janez Brajkovic of Discovery, Vinokourov knows that he can still have a card to play in the Vuelta, even if he readily admits that his mind is firmly on the world championships road race on 24 September.

"For the rest of the race, I'm not too sure what I am going to do. I still have the possibility to mix it up in the general classification, but maybe I will concentrate uniquely on the world championships," said the 31-year-old.

"Frankly, it's the worlds at Salzberg which are occupying my thoughts at the moment. But of course, if circumstances of the race give me the chance to win the Vuelta, I'm not going to let it pass me by."

With the likes of second-placed Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), CSC's Carlos Sastre, Saunier-Duval's Jose Angel Gomez Marchante and compatriot, and team-mate, Andrey Kashechkin in such imposing form, more than two minutes to regain might be too much to ask for the pint-sized powerhouse.

But a demanding schedule involving three first-category climbs, two thirds and one special category ascent, does not discount a day of huge time gains and losses. Putting aside a torrid season in which Vino has seen his initial team Liberty-Seguros disbanded and then his new formation Astana ruled out of the Tour de France, the Kazakh is now keen to let his cycling do the talking.

"Now it's time to speak about the rest of the race, and notably tomorrow's stage," he said after his superb victory on Saturday. "The Vuelta might well be decided there and, as I feel better and better, why not take this opportunity to improve my standings in the general classification?"

One rider who believes Vinokourov has not had his final say in the race is Spaniard Sastre, currently 10 seconds off the pace in third place.

The Tour de France fourth-placed rider told Spanish radio on Saturday: "I said he is rider to take into account and he will be more dangerous as the Vuelta goes by. I think he will be fighting in the top positions during the third week."