COLLADO VILLALBA, Spain (AFP) - Spaniard Samuel Sanchez claimed third place overall and his third stage win in the Tour of Spain here on Saturday when he lead the penultimate 20th stage, a 20km time-trial.

The Euskaltel rider finished 12 seconds ahead of race leader Denis Menchov of Russia with Dutch rider Stef Clement finishing third 14sec off the pace.

It was Sanchez's third stage win after the 15th in the mountains and Friday's 19th and allows him to move into third position at the expense of Australia's Cadel Evans, who slipped to overall fourth after finishing sixth 19sec behind the winner.

"The objective before the Vuelta was the podium," admitted Sanchez at the finish of the 20th stage here, several kilometres north-west of Madrid.

"I have already won two stages. Difficult to do better," said the 29-year-old who will be another contender at the world road race championships in Stuttgart later this month.

Sanchez had a word for his compatriot Carlos Sastre, the big favourite for this year's Vuelta but who will probably have to content himself with second place when the race finishes Sunday in Madrid.

"I'm very happy for Carlos because he deserves to be second," said Sanchez.

Barring a fall or accident there seems nothing to stop Menchov from winning his second Vuelta, after taking the 2005 title when Roberto Heras was disqualified for doping.