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A last-metre lunge for the line gave world road race champion Paolo Bettini victory in the 150-km sixth stage of the Vuelta a Espana.

The Quick-Step rider from Italy inched past Belgian Philippe Gilbert to claim the fourth Vuelta stage triumph of his career.

Spaniard Alejandro Valverde finished third after the journey from Ciudad Real to Toledo.

Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel of Cofidis overtook American Levi Leipheimer at the top of the overall standings after picking up time bonuses in intermediate sprints.

As the race heads into its first rest day Leipheimer is 10 seconds down on Chavanel with Valverde third, 26 seconds off the pace.

"I'm the first Frenchman to lead the Vuelta a Espana since Laurent Jalabert so it's a real honour for me to succeed him," Chavanel said afterwards. "I came here looking for stage wins but taking the race lead is an unexpected bonus.

"I will try my utmost to defend this lead on the mountain stages this weekend. It's the leader's jersey of a major Tour and you must respect it."

A gifted all-rounder who will join the Quick Step team next season, Chavanel has won seven times this year including stages of the Tour de France, Paris-Nice and the Tour of Catalonia.

Bettini's victory indicated to the Italian he was on the right track for a third successive win at the world championships on home soil on September 28.

"I've won stages in the Vuelta every time I've won the worlds. It's a good sign," said Bettini, world champion in 2007 and 2006.

"It was a very tough finale today, very technical and you had to play a smart game to stay ahead. I'll try and get another stage before I quit the race, probably after stage 17 to Valladolid."

The Vuelta ends in Madrid on September 21.

Stage result:

1. Paolo Bettini (Italy / Quick-Step) 3h 19m 28s

2. Philippe Gilbert (Belgium / Francaise des Jeux)

3. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne)

4. Oscar Freire (Spain / Rabobank)

5. Daniele Bennati (Italy / Liquigas)

6. Davide Rebellin (Italy / Gerolsteiner)

7. Sebastien Hinault (France / Credit Agricole)

8. Greg Van Avermaet (Belgium / Silence-Lotto)

9. Karsten Kroon (Netherlands / Team CSC)

10. Matti Breschel (Denmark / Team CSC)

Reuters