The Milram rider outsprinted compatriot Daniele Bennati and Alexander Usov of Belarus to take stage 12 for the 19th Tour of Spain win of his career.

The record is held by Spaniard Delio Rodriguez, who notched up 39 victories in the 1940s.

Denis Menchov of Russia remains overall leader of the race.

"I'm not here to win more stages than another rider, just to win, full stop." Petacchi told reporters.

"To be honest, I was already happy with just taking one victory this year. Two is something unexpected and very pleasant."

The 33-year-old, racing under the threat of a ban for doping violations, said he had been isolated from his team in the finale because they had worked hard to bring back a five-man break.

"That makes today's win one for the entire team, because without them I wouldn't have taken this victory," he said.

Petacchi is waiting for a verdict from the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) over his positive test for salbutamol during this year's Giro d'Italia, where he won five stages.

He was cleared of doping violations by the Italian Cycling Federation (ICF) but the Italian Olympic Committee asked CAS to overturn the decision and give the rider a one-year ban.

The Italian argued he used the banned substance salbutamol in his asthma inhaler, for which he had a medical certificate.

Leonardo Piepoli, the leader of the King of the Mountains competition, did not start Thursday's stage.

The Saunier Duval-Prodir rider, winner of stage nine to Cerler, pulled out to be with his wife, who is suffering from complications after giving birth to their first child on Wednesday.

Menchov took over at the top of the best climber standings.

The Tour of Spain finishes in Madrid on September 23.   AAP