Yesterday David Belda defended his position as race leader in the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon to become a hugely surprising winner of the three-day race. The son of famous director Vicente Belda now sets his sights on the Spanish championships and the Vuelta a Burgos.

For several years, David Belda has performed well in big Spanish race but his consistent performances have not been rewarded with a professional contract. That may all change now after the 31-year-old rider from the small Burgos team won the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon overall.

Belda laid the foundations for his win when he was first at the top of the final climb in Saturday's queen stage and went on to defend his position in the very difficult final stage that was won by Luis Leon Sanchez. He now hopes that his result will allow him to get onto a professional team

"I cannot deny that Castilla y Leon has brought a lot of luck to me an my career and I hope that it will continued in the future," he said, referring to the upcoming Spanish champiosnhips that take place in the are. "I have lacked a bit of luck [in getting onto a professional team] but there is still time to find an opening. As long as I enhoy the bike, I will continue to ride like a warrior.

"I laid the foundations for the win in the second stage but I still had to finish very hard final stage with difficult terrain and where the team was fundamental."

Belda now hopes to repeat his feat in another major Spanish stage race, the Vuelta a Burgos, in August.