Jaen, Spain - Alejandro Valverde of Spain won the second stage of the Tour of Spain to take the overall leader's gold jersey on Sunday.

The Caisse d'Epargne rider edged Italy's Davide Rebellin of Gerolsteiner by two seconds in a sprint finish at the end of the 176-kilometre stage from Granada to Jaen.

Another Italian, the Lampre rider Alessandro Ballan, was third in the same time.

The Italian Liquigas team had won the team time trial in Granada on Saturday.

Monday's third stage of the Vuelta is a 168.6km stretch from Jaen to Cordoba. (dpa)