Spaniard Samuel Sanchez won stage 19 of the Vuelta a Espana from Avila to Alto de Abantos but Denis Menchov took a massive stride towards winning the race by finishing third to extend his overall lead to three minutes and two seconds.

The 133km stage from Avila to the Alto de Abantos was always going to be crucial as it featured six climbs and the race's last summit finish.

But Russian Menchov withstood all the attacks from GC rivals Carlos Sastre and Sanchez and extended his lead going into Saturday's time trial after Cadel Evans lost one minute and 25 seconds.

Sastre climbed above Evans into second place as the Australian struggled on the final 12.3km climb which had a gradient of 19% in sections.

Sanchez, who also won stage 15, crossed just ahead of Daniel Moreno with Menchov and Sastre tucked in behind as the quartet rode away from their rivals over the final few kilometres.

"I have got 95 percent of the race in my pocket," Menchov commented.

"I have proved that I'm the strongest on all the terrains, but there's still Saturday's final time trial to go - which I want to win.

"I followed Sastre when he attacked and dropped Evans, but I didn't want to fight it out for the stage win.

"Others had done more work on the last climb and deserved the victory."

Results:

1. Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel ) 3hrs 37mins 01"

2. Daniel Moreno (Spain / Relax ) same time

3. Denis Menchov (Russia / Rabobank ) +3"

4. Carlos Sastre (Spain / Team CSC )

5. Igor Anton (Spain / Euskaltel ) +14"

6. Sylwester Szmyd (Poland / Lampre ) +29"

7. Stephane Goubert (France / AG2R ) +41"

8. Manuel Beltran (Spain / Liquigas ) +49"

9. Ezequiel Mosquera (Spain / Karpin ) +51"

10. David Lopez (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne ) +59"

11. Maxime Monfort (Belgium / Cofidis ) +1:20"

12. Oliver Zaugg (Switzerland / Gerolsteiner )

13. Vladimir Efimkine (Russia / Caisse d'Epargne ) +1:23"

14. Carlos Barredo (Spain / Quick-Step )

15. Cadel Evans (Australia / Predictor - Lotto ) +1:25"

16. Vladimir Karpets (Russia / Caisse d'Epargne ) +1:41"

17. Ludovic Turpin (France / AG2R ) +2:18"

18. Hubert Dupont (France / AG2R ) +2:21"

Eurosport