Cycling:Ireland's Nicolas Roche kept pace with the main bunch of riders to finish 11th in today's 161.9 kilometre sixth stage of the Tour of Catalunya from El Vendrell to Barcelona.
The French team Cofidis had a double reason to celebrate as Samuel Dumoulin and team mate Rein Taaramae of Estonia grabbed the top two places.
The pair outpowered a 48-strong pack in the uphill sprint in Barcelona's Montjuich Park, where the sixth stage of the Tour de France finished last year.
Joaquim Rodriguez of Spain was third and kept the overall race lead.
"It was the same finish as the Tour but the very different final approach route today meant I could go for the win," said the 29-year-old Dumoulin.
"We dropped the top sprinters because it was a tough finale, but as I'm a small guy I could handle the climbs better and then use my power to take the sprint.
"Getting first and second on the stage was more circumstantial than planned. Rein's lying third overall so we wanted to keep control of his rivals by staying close to the front and then with 200 metres to go I decided to go for it."
Cofidis announced on Friday that they were extending their sponsorship of the team until the end of 2012.
"This is our twelfth victory of the season but after yesterday's news this one's very special," said team manager Eric Bouyer.
"We told the sponsor that the best way of thanking them was with a win this weekend, and we've got the top two places in Catalunya's hardest race."
With one easy stage of the event remaining, Rodriguez is poised to become the first Catalan rider to win his home race in 27 years.
"It's not over yet but the end's in sight," said Rodriguez. "That's a good feeling."
Roche maintains fifth place overall, one minute 20 seconds behind Rodriguez.
Official result and overall standings from the 161.9km sixth stage of the Tour of Catalunya from El Vendrell to Barcelona
Stage Result
1. Samuel Dumoulin (France / Cofidis) 4 hrs 04 mins 45 secs
2. Rein Taaramaee (Estonia / Cofidis) same time
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha)
4. David Loosli (Switzerland / Lampre)
5. Aitor Galdos (Spain / Euskaltel)
6. Andreas Kloeden (Germany / RadioShack)
7. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Liquigas)
8. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne)
9. Paolo Tiralongo (Italy / Astana)
10. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada / Garmin)
11. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R)
Overall Standings
1. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) 22 hrs 43 mins 42 secs
2. Xavier Tondo (Spain / Cervelo) +10 secs
3. Rein Taaramaee (Estonia / Cofidis) +43 secs
4. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne) +45 secs
5. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R) +1 min 20 secs
6. Ryder Hesjedal (Canada / Garmin)
7. Michel Kreder (Netherlands / Garmin) +1 min 21 secs
8. Roman Kreuziger (Czech Republic / Liquigas) +1 min 22 secs
9. Janez Brajkovic (Slovenia / RadioShack) +1 min 25 secs
10. Remy Di Gregorio (France/Francaise des Jeux) +1 min 26 secs