Norwegian Thor Hushovd, of Credit Agricole, retained the race leader's gold jersey after finishing second behind the enterprising Saunier Duval rider.

Hushovd, wearing his second major race leader's jersey this year after his prologue win on the Tour de France, now has an 11-second lead on Australian Stuart O'Grady.

Ventoso's effort saw him move up to third at 12 seconds just ahead of Italian Paolo Bettini, of Quick Step.

For the second day in a row the likes of Hushovd, Australian Robbie McEwen and German Erik Zabel were robbed at the finish line.

Olympic champion Bettini had claimed victory on Sunday in the first mass sprint of the race, and they were stunned again as Saunier Duval rider Ventoso claimed his first major career win.

Hushovd finished a close second, ahead of CSC's O'Grady. Milram sprinter Zabel was third just ahead of McEwen.

Britain's David Millar, Ventoso's teammate, had launched an audacious bid for the stage victory with an attack in the final kilometre of the race.

However the big Scot's attempt was tempered by him having to slow on the tight bends on the course finale, and by the chasing peloton being led by Milram.

On the home straight McEwen's lead-out man at Davitamon, Freddy Rodriguez, began to up the tempo in a bid to bring the Aussie in for a final spurt.

However when McEwen launched his solo dash for the line it appeared too early, and his effort appeared to climax well before the finish line.

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