Team Movistar's Xavier Tondo of Spain won the 2011 Vuelta de Castilla and Leon on home turf earlier this afternoon, protecting his overnight lead to finish nine seconds ahead of Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands and 17 seconds in front of fellow countryman Igor Anton of Team Euskaltel.

"(I was) finally able to get over the hump after coming close so many times," Tondo, who last year rode successfully for Cervelo TestTeam, said.

British rider Ben Swift of Team Sky swiftly edged a pack of chasers to claim the 167.7-kilometer (104.2-mile) fifth stage from Madrigal de las Altas Torres to Medina del Campo.

Triple Tour de France champion Alberto Contador finished 24th overall, almost three minutes off the pace after suffering a flat at an unfortunate time during a previous stage.

"I had a good race, but I wasn't lucky with the tire punctures on the mountain stage," Contador commented and revealed that he plans to take part in the Fleche Wallone 2011 race before the Giro d'Italia in May.