Italy's Daniele Bennati wears the leader's gold jersey as the Vuelta edges through Galicia from Allariz to Santiago de Compostela for the second stage. The undulating 150km stage features one category three climb but should well come down to another bunch finish.

Bennati, who last won on the Champs Elysee on the final stage of the Tour de France, timed his sprint to perfection to pip Oscar Freire and power past compatriot Alessandro Petacchi in the race's opening stage in and around Vigo on Saturday.

The Lampre rider now wears his first ever leader's jersey in a major Tour and has high hopes to keep the gold garment on his shoulders for a few days.

"It was really the perfect sprint," said Bennati, who has signed with Liquigas for next season. "I think this is the best season of my career so far. I knew that it was a unique chance to wear the leader's jersey of a major Tour and I'm going to try and keep it until the Covadonga lakes on Tuesday."

Besides Bennati's victory, the opening day was marked by the unfortunate retirement of American rider Thomas Danielson, who broke a collarbone after a heavy fall involving Bennati's team-mate Damiano Cunego.

The Discovery co-team leader made an effort to continue riding, but threw in the towel 60km from the finish in Vigo. Cunego, despite cuts on his shoulder and knee, and a sore wrist, completed the stage and took to the start on Sunday.

FL / Eurosport