CYCLING/Tour of Spain:Russian Denis Menchov took his second Vuelta a España yesterday, ending the three week Grand Tour comfortably clear of his opposition, writes Shane Stokes.

The Rabobank rider finished safely in the main bunch in Madrid, crossing the line in the same time as stage winner Daniele Bennati (Lampre - Fondital), who outsprinted Alessandro Petacchi (Team Milram) and Alexandre Usov (Ag2r Prévoyance) to take his third such victory in the race.

Menchov sealed his victory in Saturday's 20km time trial on the roads around Villalba. He finished second on the stage, conceding just 12 seconds to the stage winner Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel - Euskadi). It was Sánchez' second consecutive victory and third stage win.

Irish rider Philip Deignan finished in the main bunch yesterday, ending his first Grand Tour a solid 71st overall.