Chris Froome beats Alberto Contador to Ruta del Sol title

Chris Froome won the 2013 Tour de France

Britain's Chris Froome won the Ruta del Sol in Spain to seal his first stage-race victory since May on Sunday.

The Team Sky rider, 29, led Spaniard Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo) by two seconds going into the final stage.

The 2013 Tour de France champion safely negotiated the 168km from Montilla to Alhaurin de la Torre - won by Spain's Juan Jose Lobato - to finish sixth and retain his advantage.

"Happy and relieved to have held onto this jersey today," Froome tweeted.

"Great start to the year...thank you team."

Contador, 32, had led from the opening day until Saturday when Froome overturned a 27-second deficit with a stunning breakaway on the 4.4km climb to the finish.

It is Froome's first stage-race win since the Tour de Romandie.

Stage five results:

1. Juan Jose Lobato (SPA/Movistar) 3hr 48min 56sec

2. John Degenkolb (GER/Giant-Alpecin) +1sec

3. Sylvain Chavanel (FRA/IAM Cycling) +2sec

4. Grega Bole (SLO/CCC Sprandi Polkowice) same time

5. Pim Ligthart (NED/Lotto Soudal) same time

6. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) same time

7. Moreno Hofland (NED/LottoNL-Jumbo) same time

8. Jan Bakelants (BEL/AG2R La Mondiale) same time

9. Alberto Contador (SPA/Tinkoff-Saxo) same time

10. Nicolas Edet (FRA/Cofidis) same time

Overall standings:

1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 21hr 21min 41sec

2. Alberto Contador (SPA/Tinkoff-Saxo) +2sec

3. Benat Intxausti (SPA/Movistar) +2min 38sec

4. Mikel Nieve (SPA/Team Sky) +3min 5sec

5. Romain Bardet (FRA/AG2R La Mondiale) +3min 13sec