Spanish rider David Herrero (Paternina-Costa Almería) won the 153km second stage of the Vuelta a Asturias in northern Spain on Thursday while Luis León Sánchez (Liberty Seguros) retained the overall lead.

Herrero attacked with 4km to go coming off the descent on the Puerto de El Infanzón to deliver a big stage-win for the modest Division II team against the larger teams. Miguel Angel Martín Perdiguero (Saunier Duval) and Josep Jufré (Relax-Bodysol) came through second and third, respectively, as the main bunch crossed the line two seconds slower.

The race continues Friday with the 166km third stage from Gijón to Avilés and hits three climbs over the course.

Alberto Contador, the Liberty Seguros rider who crashed hard on his chest and face in Wednesday’s opening stage, remains in stable, but guarded condition, according hospital officials.

48th Vuelta a Asturias (SPA 2.2), Stage 2, Llanes to Gijon, 163km
1. David Herrero Llorente (Sp), Costa De Almeria-Paternina 3h51:32
2. Miguel Martín Perdiguero (Sp), Saunier Duval +0:02
3. Josep Jufre Pou (Sp), Relax-Bodysol
4. Pedro M Andrade Oliveira (Por), L.A.-Pecol
5. Iban Mayo Diez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi all same time

25. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Liberty Seguros s.t
68. Tim Johnson (USA) Saunier Duval +9:00

Overall standings after two stages.
1. Luis León Sánchez (Sp), Liberty Seguros 7h40:36
2. David Navas (Sp), Illes Balears-Banesto +0:04
3. Eladio Jiménez (Sp), Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme +0:011
4. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi +0:16
5. Isidro Nozal (Sp), Liberty Seguros st 40. Christian Vande Velde (USA), Liberty Seguros +2:29
90. Tim Johnson (USA), Saunier Duval +18:16

Scarponi in control at Peace Race
Italian Michele Scarponi (Domina Vacanze) remains in control of the Peace Race after finishing second in Thursday’s six stage from Szczawno Zdroj to Jelenia Gora in Poland.

The 187.5-kilometer sixth stage hit five Category 2 climbs and two Cat. 1 climbs, with the final punch coming 35km from the finish. The rollercoaster continues in Friday’s 202-km seventh stage featuring five Cat. 2 climbs and a final Cat. 1 coming 24km from the finish.

Peace Race (CZE 2.2), Stage 6, Szczawno Zdroj to Jelenia Gora, 187.5km
1. Slavomir Kohut (Pol), Polsat 5h06:12
2. Michele Scarponi (I), Domina Vacanze
3. Tomasz Brozyna (Pol), Action
4. Radoslaw Romanik (Pol)
5. Piotr Przydzial (Pol)  all same time Overall standings after six stages
1. Michele Scarponi (I), Domina Vacanze 23h52:13
2. Slavomir Kohut (Pol), Polsat  +0:04
3. Roger Beuchat (Swi), Vini Caldirola +0:17
4. Massimo Giunti (I), Domina Vacanze +0:37
5. Christian Werner (G), T-Mobile +0:40