Alejandro Valverde pedaled himself into position Friday to win the Vuelta a Murcia for the third time.

The Caisse d’Epargne rider won the decisive 23.1km climbing time trial and surged into the overall lead with just one stage remaining in the five-day stage race in Spain.

Valverde, who hails from the Spanish region, won the race against the clock from Alhama to Aledo in 33 minutes, 32 seconds, some two seconds faster than Stefano Garzelli (Acqua e Sapone) and six seconds faster than 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador (Astana).

Overnight leader Aitor Pérez (Extremadura), who started the day tied with Chechu Rubiera (Astana), lost more than two minutes and sank to 12th.

The double puts Valverde into the driver’s seat with just one stage remaining in the race that he won in 2004 and 2007.

The 28th Murcia tour concludes Saturday with the fifth and final stage in a rolling 135km stage featuring two Cat. 3 climbs that should serve up another bunch sprint.