The much-anticipated battle of the sprinters finally materialized in stage 3 of the Ruta del Sol on Tuesday as Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) pipped world champion Tom Boonen (Quick Step) in the final dash to the line.

. . . and collects the winner's kisses

Photo: Graham Watson

Petacchi took the 174.1km stage from Cabra to Cordoue in just under four hours, with Boonen second and Graeme Brown third in the same time.

Spaniard Carlos Garcia Quesada (Unibet) retained the overall lead.

. . . while Boonen rides with a diamond in his helmet

Photo: Graham Watson

Stage
1. Alessandro Petacchi (I), Milram), 174.1km in 3:52:58
2. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step, s.t.
3. Graeme Brown (Aus), Rabobank, s.t.
4. Baden Cooke (Aus), Unibet, s.t.
5. Roger Hammond (GB), Discovery Channel, s.t.
6. Rodrigo Garcia Rena (Sp,) Kaiku, s.t.
7. Carlos Garcia Quesada (Sp), Unibet, s.t.
8. Juan Olmo (Sp), Andalucia-Paul Versan, s.t.
9. Marco Velo (I), Milram, at 0:04
10. Inaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel, s.t.

Overall
1. Carlos Garcia Quesada (Sp), Unibet, 12:11:02
2. Rodrigo Garcia Rena (Sp), Kaiku, s.t.
3. Adolfo Garcia Quesada (Sp), Andalucia-Paul Versan, at 0:07
4. Inaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel, at 0:15
5. Luis Pasamontes (Sp), Unibet, at 0:18
6. José Adrian Bonilla (Sp), Comunitat Valenciana, s.t.
7. Oliver Zaugg (Swi), Saunier Duval, s.t.
8. Manuel Lloret (Sp), Comunitat Valenciana, at 25:57
9. Santos Gonzales Capilla (Sp), 3 Molinos Resort, at 26:07
10. Jesus del Nero (Sp), 3 Molinos Resort, at 27:25