Rabobank’s Spanish sprinter Oscar Freire surprised German Robert Wagner with a come-from-behind sprint victory in Stage 2 of the Ruta del Sol stage race in Córdoba, Spain.

Freire timed his sprint perfectly, powering his Giant TCR Advanced SL team bike past a surprised Wagner at the finish of the 182.2-kilometer stage. In beating some of the world’s top sprinters, including Brit Mark Cavendish who was fourth, Freire showed the top form that has earned him three world championship titles.

Now in its 56th year, the Ruta del Sol is a traditional early-season stage race in Spain. Freire won the overall here in 2007, and another Rabobank rider, Joost Posthuma, won the race last year.

This year’s five-day Ruta del Sol travels through southern Spain, concluding February 25. Riders face a hilly 162.5-kilometer route in Stage 3 and a decisive 10.9-kilometer time trial on Stage 4.