Cycling: McGee first Australian to lead in Spain

CORDOBA, Spain - Bradley McGee became the first Australian rider to lead the Tour of Spain after Leonardo Bertagnolli of Italy won the second stage on Sunday.

Bertagnolli, who rides for Cofidis, staged a lone attack on the last climb of San Jeronimo on the 189.3km leg from Granada to Cordoba and crossed the line in the same time as McGee, four hours 52 minutes 27 seconds.

Third was Spaniard Juan Antonio Flecha of Fassa Bartolo.

McGee, riding for Francaise des Jeux, took third in the opening time trial stage in Spain and is the only rider from his country to have led all three major Tours.

"It was a tricky final climb so I decided to go for it on the ascent and see what happened," Bertagnolli said.

"McGee caught me 3km from the line, but I knew he would collaborate because he wanted the lead."

After suffering health problems throughout the summer, the 27-year-old from north-east Italy said he knew he was back in form when he won a stage in last week's Tour of Limousin.

"I thought the second week of the Tour of Spain which has all the main mountain stages was more to my liking, but I'm not complaining about winning today."

The 28-year-old McGee could not follow Bertagnolli on the eight-km ascent of San Jeronimo, close to the finish in Cordoba.

But on the descent, McGee caught the Italian and then drove hard for the line.

The two were almost caught by a group of five chasers led by Flecha and finished a few metres ahead of the Spaniard.

McGee leads the tour by 22 seconds over Bertagnolli, with Flecha 31 seconds behind the Australian.

With temperatures hitting over 40degC in the opening phase of the race, McGee said the conditions reminded him of Australia.

"My aim is to hold the jersey as far as the time trial on stage nine, I'll be more than satisfied," said McGee.

- REUTERS