Avile, Spain  - Ireland's Philip Deignan on Thursday won the 18th stage of the Vuelta, beating Roman Kreuziger and Jakob Fuglsang into second and third place.

Local favourite Alejandro Valverde, who rides for the Caisse d'Epargne team, managed to hold onto the leaders' golden jersey and now has a 32 second advantage over Dutch Rabobank rider Robert Gesink.

For much of the 165-kilometre long stage from Talavera de la Reina to Avila a 16-man group dominated proceedings before Cervelo rider Deignan and Kreuziger, who is a member of the Liquigas team, put some distance between themselves and the remaining riders in the group.

The peloton, including Valverde finished close to ten minutes behind the winners. dpa