Cycling: Rominger climbs into the lead

TONY ROMINGER, the Swiss rider and defending champion, won yesterday's 14th stage of the Tour of Spain, the first of four consecutive climbing days across northern Spain.

The 32-year-old won the 197.2km stage between Tudela and Valdezcaray by 37 seconds over Alex Zulle, a victory that left him with a 33sec overall lead over his compatriot after starting the day trailing by four seconds.

The victory was Rominger's second following his win in Thursday's 11th stage. Known primarly as a sprint specialist, Rominger, who is attempting to become only the second rider to win the tour back-to-back, is proving to be invincible in the mountains.

Colombia's Oliverio Rincon finished third while Spain's Laudelino Cubino was fourth - both 43 seconds adrift.

Pedro Delgado, Spain's 33- year-old attempting to win the race for a record third time, is in seventh place overall, 6min 49sec behind Rominger and virtually out of contention in the 21-day event.