VALLADOLID, Spain -- Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt won the 17th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday and Alberto Contador maintained his overall lead.
Weylandt, of QuickStep, won the 92.1-mile leg from Zamora in 3 hours, 18 minutes, 48 seconds. Denmark's Matti Breschel of Team CSC was second ahead of AG2R-La Mondiale rider Alexandre Usov of Belarus, with both riders finishing the sprint with the same time.
Contador placed 42nd in the same time as Weylandt to keep his 1:17 advantage over Astana teammate Levi Leipheimer.
The Spanish cyclist, who is looking to complete a sweep of the three major cycling crowns after winning the 2007 Tour de France and this year's Giro d'Italia, leads with an overall time of 69 hours, 53 minutes, 52 seconds.
Reigning Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre of Team CSC remained 3:41 behind countryman Contador in third place.
Thursday's 18th stage is a relatively straightforward leg with one sweeping ascent at the Alto de Los Leones, a category-3 designated climb.
Contador is closing in on the title with only three stages left, including Saturday's time trial and Sunday's final leg into Madrid.
