ProTour champion Cadel Evans claimed a break-away victory in the second stage of the Vuelta a Andalucía.

The 31-year-old Australian star topped the podium after 176 kilometres of riding beginning in Torrox Costa and finishing with a summit finish in La Zubia.

The Tour de France runner-up beat out Spaniards Mikel Astarloza and Juan Manuel Gárate in the final climb to win his first stage of the season.

Frenchman Clément Lhotellerie claims the overall lead from José Antonio López finishing 11th at 56 seconds behind Evans.

Pablo Lastras Garcia is now second overall at 51 seconds back after finishing sixth at 15 seconds behind the Australian, while Evans is now third overall at two minutes and 23 seconds behind the race leader.

Previous leader Lopez pays the price for not participating in the 18-man break-away that went clear 30-km into Monday's stage, dropping to 15th overall after finishing a full six minutes and six seconds behind Evans.

STAGE ONE

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