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Spaniard Julian Sanchez snatched the first victory of his career in the toughest stage of the Tour of Catalunya.

The 29-year-old Contentpolis-Ampo pro reached stage four's summit finish at Vallnord-Pal ski station in Andorra six seconds ahead of Irishman Dan Martin.

Overall leader Spaniard Alejandro Valverde was eight seconds back in third.

Part of a day-long break on the 166-km stage over three Pyrenean mountain passes, Sanchez attacked one kilometre before the last climb to for a lone win.

"Normally these long-distance moves don't work out, but today was the exception that proved the rule," said Sanchez.

"I've been stronger in other races and haven't won, but this time it proved different."

In his sixth year as a pro but never before a winner, Sanchez said his victory vindicated his decision to remain racing.

"Raising my arms as I crossed the line on a legendary summit like Pal and ahead of some of the biggest names in the sport has made the wait worthwhile."

Overall leader Valverde suffered badly when his Irish rival Dan Martin attacked six kilometres from the finish, but managed to limit the gaps.

Valverde leads by 15 seconds from Martin, with Spaniard Haimar Zubeldia 22 behind.

"I've got a good chance of winning overall now I've got through today with the leader's jersey," Valverde said. "The race isn't over yet, but this is a big step forward."

The Tour of Catalunya finishes on Sunday May 24 in Montmelo.

Result after the 175-km fourth stage of the Tour of Catalunya from La Pobla de Lillet, Spain to Vallnord Pal, Andorra.

1. Julian Sanchez (Spain / Contentpolis ) 4hrs 46mins 29secs

2. Dan Martin (Ireland / Garmin ) +6

3. Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne ) +8

4. Haimar Zubeldia (Spain / Astana ) +12

5. Mikel Astarloza (Spain / Euskaltel ) +21

6. Jose Angel Gomez Marchante (Spain / Cervelo )

7. Alexandr Dyachenko (Kazakhstan / Astana ) +25

8. Jakub Fuglsang (Denmark / Saxo Bank ) +31

9. Xavier Tondo (Spain / Andalucia ) +37

10. John Gadret (France / AG2R ) +1:06

11. Adrian Palomares (Spain / Contentpolis ) +1:13

12. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Caisse d'Epargne ) +1:15

13. Oliver Zaugg (Switzerland / Liquigas ) +1:31

14. Christophe Le Mevel (France / Francaise des Jeux )

15. Michael Albasini (Switzerland / Columbia )

16. Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel )

17. David De la Fuente (Spain / Fuji )

18. Jesus Hernandez (Spain / Astana ) +1:54

19. Jussi Veikkanen (Finland / Francaise des Jeux ) +2:09

20. Jerome Pineau (France / Quick-Step )

21. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R ) +2:14

22. Cameron Wurf (Australia / Fuji ) +2:54

23. Alexandre Botcharov (Russia / Katusha )

24. Vladimir Karpets (Russia / Katusha )

25. Ivan Rovnyi (Russia / Katusha ) +3:02

26. Aitor Hernandez (Spain / Euskaltel ) +3:10

27. Sergey Renev (Kazakhstan / Astana ) +3:12

28. Cyril Dessel (France / AG2R )

29. Vladimir Efimkine (Russia / AG2R ) +3:14

30. Hubert Dupont (France / AG2R ) +3:42

Standings

1. Alejandro Valverde (Spain/Caisse d'Epargne) 13hrs 49mins 38secs

2. Dan Martin (Ireland / Garmin ) +15

3. Haimar Zubeldia (Spain / Astana ) +22

4. Mikel Astarloza (Spain / Euskaltel ) +34

5. Jose Angel Gomez Marchante (Spain / Cervelo ) +38

6. Jakub Fuglsang (Denmark / Saxo Bank ) +45

7. Alexandr Dyachenko (Kazakhstan / Astana ) +49

8. Xavier Tondo (Spain / Andalucia ) +56

9. Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel ) +1:42

10. David De la Fuente (Spain / Fuji ) +1:52

11. Christophe Le Mevel (France / Francaise des Jeux ) +2:14

12. Michael Albasini (Switzerland / Columbia ) +2:15

13. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Caisse d'Epargne ) +2:43

14. Jussi Veikkanen (Finland / Francaise des Jeux ) +2:46

15. Oliver Zaugg (Switzerland / Liquigas ) +3:05

16. Adrian Palomares (Spain / Contentpolis ) +3:14

17. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R ) +3:36

18. Jesus Hernandez (Spain / Astana ) +3:41

19. Vladimir Karpets (Russia / Katusha ) +4:16

20. Ivan Rovnyi (Russia / Katusha ) +4:32

21. Alexandre Botcharov (Russia / Katusha )

22. Aitor Hernandez (Spain / Euskaltel ) +4:36"

23. Vladimir Efimkine (Russia / AG2R ) +4:48"

24. Cyril Dessel (France / AG2R ) +5:13"

25. Hubert Dupont (France / AG2R ) +5:18"

26. Manuel Calvente (Spain / Andalucia ) +5:26"

27. Cameron Wurf (Australia / Fuji ) +5:28"

28. Xavier Florencio (Spain / Cervelo ) +6:03"

29. Kim Kirchen (Luxembourg / Columbia ) +6:28"

30. Sandy Casar (France / Francaise des Jeux ) +6:50"

Reuters