Starring at 41: Horner oldest to win Tour of Spain

“This is a muy (very) special moment,muchas gracias (many thanks)” Horner,mixing English and Spanish,told fans after donning the race leader’s red jersey.

The stage win went to 22-year-old Australian Michael Matthews in a bunch sprint with American Tyler Farrar second and Germany’s Niklas Arndt third.

At 41 years 11 months,Horner outstrips the previous oldest Grand Tour winner,Belgian Firmin Lambot who won the 1922 Tour de France,by five years.

Horner had said the Vuelta’s mountainous route,with climbs as early as stage two,favoured his racing style and he soon showed his intent with a solo victory in stage three on the uphill finish at the Mirador de Lobeira to briefly hold the race lead.

After taking the overall lead for a third time on stage 19 with a three-second margin over the Nibali,Horner resisted the 2010 Vuelta champion’s multiple attacks on the dauntingly steep slopes of the Alto de L’Angliru on Saturday to tighten his grip on the race.

“I’ve been a professional for almost 20 years,but Grand Tours have always been in a special place for me,” Horner said.