"Moreno attacked Scarponi, I attacked Moreno.We were working for Sanchez and I wasn't going to let them beat us.

Those were the words of Astana's Miguel Angel Lopez after winning stage four at the Vuelta a Burgos. Lopez, from Boyaca, Colombia, won his first race as a professional on Friday on a hot, dry day in the mountains of Castile and León.

Lopez together with teammates Michele Scarponi and Rein Taaramäe were protecting the purple leader's jersey of teammate Luis Leon Sanchez into the final 2km climb. Scarponi attacked the leading group of around 12 riders with 500m to the finish and was followed quickly by Spanish rider Dani Moreno who looked to pass and take the victory.

Lopez quickly followed Moreno and waited until the Spanish rider had exhausted himself before smoothly passing on his way to the finish line with his arms in the air.

With the stage victory Lopez also takes over as race leader with three teammates less than 30 seconds back ahead of Saturday's Queen Stage with 7 classified climbs and a mountain finish at Lagunas de Neila.

"We have a with several strong riders to fight for the overall, including Michele Scarponi, Rein Taaramae, Luis Leon Sanchez and myself," Lopez added. "Anyone can fight for the win as the GC is very close. The aim is to finish the race in the best way possible.

"Today we started with expectations of being close to Luis Leon and do all the work to keep the lead but we have to wait to see how the last three kilometers would decide the race.Here Scarponi was not going very well and I decided to go with Dani Moreno."