Bennati sprinted in front of the pack in the final meters (yards) to win the 185-kilometer (115-mile) course from Bilbao to Vitoria in 4 hours, 39 minutes, 20 seconds.

The 30-year-old Cobo has never won a major race, but the Spaniard had little trouble protecting his 13-second advantage over second-place British rider Christopher Froome as both finished with the same time as Bennati.

Froome's Sky teammate Bradley Wiggins is 1:39 behind.

The 66th edition of the event closes on Sunday in the traditional finish in Madrid.

The day began with the escape of a large group of riders that slowly disintegrated back into the peloton.

Carlos Barredo of Rabobank attacked on the last mountain pass 46 kilometers (28.5 miles) from the finish, but the Spanish cyclist was caught on the outskirts of the Basque capital.

Saturday's stage was the second in the Basque country after a 33-year absence due to political unrest related to separatist group ETA, whose 40-year-long bloody campaign for independence has left more than 800 people dead. ETA's announcement of a cease-fire last January opened the way to the race's return to the northern Spanish region.