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Alejandro Valverde locks up another victory in the Spanish stage race.
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Spaniard Alejandro Valverde of the Caisse d'Epargne team won the Tour of Murcia cycling race for the third time on Saturday.
Compatriot Kolko Fernandez, riding for Euskaltel-Euskadi, won the 134.9km fifth and final stage from San Javier to Murcia.
Valverde, winner in 2004 and 2007 and who stamped his mark on this year's renewal in Friday's stage, said that having achieved one of his targets for the season, he hoped it would prove to be a launchpad for the rest of his campaign.
"The tour of my birthplace was one of my targets for the season," said Valverde.
"This victory gives me a good spirit for the great challenges on the horizon, the Tour de France and the Olympic Games."
2000 Giro d'Italia winner Stefano Garzelli (Acqua & Sapone) was second on GC. 2007 Tour de France champ Alberto Contador (Astana) was third overall.
Fernandez prevailed in a sprint finish, just heading off Rabobank's Australian sprinter Graeme Brown, who won the first stage, and third stage winner Juan Jose Haedo of CSC.


