GRANADA (Spain), Feb 22: Spain’s Antonio Colom saw off a fierce challenge from Axel Merckx to protect his slim overall lead and win the Tour of Andalucia.

“I have to say thanks to my team mates, who’ve been sensational,” Colom said after Thursday’s final 157.3-km stage from Malaga to Granada. “They did some great work today. We didn’t stop.”

Colom, holding a 25-second lead over Merckx at the start of the day, was left behind by a 10-man group including his Belgian rival, which escaped the field after 106 kms.

By the category-three Puerto de la Malaha climb just past the 140-km mark, Merckx had an advantage approaching two minutes on Colom and was effectively leading the race.

Some strong riding, however, from Colom’s Relax-Fuenlabrada team cut back that lead to just a few seconds as the riders entered Granada and the Spaniard had Merckx safely within his sights as they approached the finish line.

Dutchman Erik Dekker, who was also part of the breakaway, edged out Adolfo Garcia of Spain to win the stage in four hours eight minutes 13 seconds, with Merckx being credited with the same time in third.

Colom took his decisive lead in the race on Wednesday, as he and Javier Pascual Rodriguez gained a 25-second advantage on the peloton thanks to a successful late break.—Reuters