Spain's Alberto Contador, riding for the Astana team, retained the overall lead of the Tour of the Basque Country after Luxemburger Kim Kirchen led the peloton home in the second stage.

High Road rider Kirchen completed the 153-km run from Legazpia to Erandio in three hours, 40 minutes and 42 seconds, finishing ahead of Italy's world champion Paolo Bettini and Spaniard David Herrero.

Contador finished the stage in the main peloton and remains three seconds up on compatriot Ezequiel Mosquera of the Karpin-Galicia team in the overall standings, with Mosquera's team-mate Herrero a further five seconds adrift.

Four riders - Jose Luis Arrieta, Joan Horrach, Michael Albasini and Inigo Landaluze - led an early breakaway but the foursome were reeled in by the chasing group in the final kilometres.

Contador said he was very pleased with his day's racing.

"It might have come across as boring on the television but the rain showers that fell during the final kilometres made the stage dangerous," said the reigning Tour de France champion.

"Everyone was going very fast to earn precious seconds and luckily I did not fall," added Contador, whose team have been barred from this year's Grande Boucle as a result of doping scandals over the past two years.

Wednesday's third stage see the riders tackle a 195-km run from Erandio to Viana.

STAGE ONE

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador made a lone break to victory in the first stage of the Tour of the Basque Country.

The Astana team leader finished around three seconds ahead of fellow Spaniard Ezequiel Mosquera. Spaniard David Herrero led in the bunch of chasers for third.

"I took some risks on the descent leading to the finish but it was worth taking a chance," Contador said, referring to the dangerous, rain-soaked terrain.

"I've come here to win overall and this is just the start I needed."

Contador and Mosquera took off on the final climb of the stage, the Alto de Descarga. Contador then attacked two kilometres from the line for a lone win.

"It wasn't just me who put on a real show in this stage, it was my whole team," he said.

"They toughened up the race throughout and gave me the chance to attack."

Astana have been barred from the Tour de France because of their implications in doping scandals meaning Contador, who joined the team this season, will not be able to defend his title.

The Tour of the Basque Country finishes on April 12.

AFP / Reuters