José Antonio López won the opening stage of the Vuelta a Andalucia.

Clement L'Hottelerie of Skil-Shimano finished in second place and Pablo Lastras of Caisse d'Epargne came in third.

Spaniard Lopez, riding for the local Andalucia-CajaSur team, won the 123.4 kilometre stage, which runs from Benahavis to Álora.

The 31-year-old took advantage of L'Hottelerie's drop in pace in the final stages to claim the overall lead in the five-stage event, also known as the Ruta del Sol.

López, professional since 2003, will wear the leader's jersey when the race continues tomorrow with a 176.2-kilometre stage from Torrox Costa to La Zubia.

Eurosport