MADRID: Italian Alessandro Ballan of Lampre won yesterday's seventh stage of the Tour of Spain, a 223.2km ride from Barbastro to La Rabassa in Andorra, to take the overall lead as the peleton moved into the mountains.

Riders had to negotiate not just the climbs but the unseasonably inclement weather as rain fell persistently amid the foggy and cold conditions going into Andorra.

Spanish star Alberto Contador, one of the favourites, snatched back a few seconds on compatriot and rival Carlos Sastre, the Tour de France winner, and almost a minute on another would-be winner Alejandro Valverde.

But Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel, leader going into the stage, struggled and finished more than three minutes off the pace. -- AFP