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 moved into the overall lead with just one stage remaining in the five-day stage race in Spain with his first win of the 2008 season.

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).

“I had very good feelings since the start of the race,” Valverde said in a team communiqué. “It’s very special to win in the region where I live and I am really happy I was able to win today. I did not start too fast because I knew that the last part was very hard and it was important to reserve some forces. I followed my plans, which was to give it all on the final climb. I feel good today, but I have different objectives than last year and I will be at 100 percent later in the season.”

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.

“I hope that everything will be okay tomorrow and that I will be able to win the race,” he said. “Nothing is sure until you cross the final finish line, but I hope not to have any problems even if Garzelli is only two seconds back. My team is very strong and I have a big advantage (because) I know the course tomorrow.”

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.