The final grand tour of the season is upon us! La Vuelta A Espana. The spanish GT was last year won by the Italian Vicenzo Nibali, though he will not be returning, as he along with the Liquigas team, are not partaking in spain.
Our Squad:
Leader: Chris Horner
Free Element: Floyd Landis
Free Element: Peter Stetina
Team Mate: M.Aldape S.Cozza P.Femal J.Louder S.Vogel S.Zajicek.
The team we are sending to the vuelta doesn't look kitted to do brilliantly, the Vuelta was far from top priority, instead, the impetus will be upon leader Chris to pick up a large proportion of the workload, and we hope to make use of other teams.
Several big names are here to fight for the overall victory in spain, Leipheimer, Sanchéz, Rodriguez, Contador, Menchov, L Sanchéz and Giro winner, Michele Scarponi all make the trip, hoping to take overall victory.
The sprinters will hope to take to the podium in at least one grand tour, and some top names make the trip to spain after losing out in France and Italy.
The key sprinters look to be Cavendish, Bos, Bennati, Boassen-Hagen and Haedo. Considering the route, they will have to fight the punchers for the jersey, with several difficult profiles to traverse, the likes of Gilbert, Cunego and Uran will all surely look to fight for the Points Jersey.
The Route
The first week off the Vuelta travels along the south coast of spain, beginning with a TTT in Sevilla, before steadily moving east towards, in a first week, which contains considerably more difficulty than that of the other 2 GT's this year.
Team Objectives
We are aware our team doesn't provide the strongest GC support to Chris, and as a result, our objectives will be fairly malleable to start with. If we are going well early then, we will continue to target the GC, however, should this start to look beyond us, then we may move our attention towards the KOM jersey, looking to be active in breaks.
Edited by baggieboys32 on 21-06-2012 18:34
The 16km TTT will be a good test of team strength before the real race begins, today is the kind of stage, which can't make a race, but could easily break one, and we will be looking to do as well as possible to keep Chris in contention.
Team radioshack took the spoils in the opening TT, beating the pre-race favourites - Movistar and HTC, neither of whom performed to there usual standard, 2nd place today went to Geox-TMC, and Katusha pick up 3rd.
Exxon-Duke had a reasonable time, picking up 12th place, dropping 45" on the day, this is a performance we are reasonably happy with, as the team lacks any powerful Rouleurs for this sort of stage.
Radioshack took the stage victory, great effort from the powerful squad
The US team have had a strong debut season, they take 12th here in Sevilla
The first road stage of this edition of the Vuelta. It's no easy entry for the riders, who will spend the first 130km riding uphill away from Sevilla. The gradients are never too steep, and with a sharp 15km drop down into Marbella, we might see an early breakaway success, or any sprinter tough enough to stay in the pack, might be able to collect a stage victory.
Despite the best efforts of Landis and Stetina, we were unable to join this morning break, who went away shortly before the gradients began to shift upwards. 8 men got away, the only notable name was Bert Grabsch of HTC.
The KOM competition would have it's first leader today, or... as it turned out, Joint Leader. Cofidis' Mickael Buffaz, and Vacansoleil's Santo Anza tie on 10points after a 1st and a 2nd each, though the Cofidis man will be the first rider of the White and Blue spots.
Spoiler
1
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
10
10
2
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
10
10
3
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
3
3
4
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
2
2
5
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
1
1
The peloton never really looked interested in this early stage, and beyond limiting the gap to under 2minutes, they never really put up a fight. 7men remained in the break with 5k to go, Grabsch desparately trying to cling on a bit longer.
Ermiti of Androni was leading out with 1km to go, Lemoine of Saur-Sojasun was the strongest sprinter, but he's not brilliant on harsh terrain, would he have enough to fight for the stage?
500m to go, Ermiti has faded, Lemoine is trying to close the distance to the leaders, but it looks likely that either Garmin (D.Loyd) or Astana (S.Clarke) will take the win, considering how close the line is.
Clarke proves to have the most left, taking the stage win for Astana, and with it, the leaders red jersey. The puncher takes the lead in 3 classifications following this ride. Points, GC, and Under 25.
The peloton rolled home lead by Samuel Sanchéz and Gilbert, 1'26 later. Horner was safely inside the peloton, no GC fighter gains or loses anything today.
The 3rd stage continues the journey along the southern coast, we travel today from Marbella to Málaga, in what looks like a decisive day early in the race.
No one is going to win the race today, but a mistake could lose you it.
The race kicked off with a 4man break getting away on the climb of the cateory 3 Puerto De Ojén, including Jeff Louder, who won the intermediate climb to take 6KOM points.
The breaks lead was down to just 2minutes as they reached the summit of the Puerto del Léon for the first time, once again, Louder picked up the points, meaning he takes the lead in the KOM.
Spoiler
1
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
22
2
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
16
3
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
12
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
12
5
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
12
6
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
12
7
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
12
8
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
11
9
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
10
10
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
10
The thinned peloton caught the break around halfway up the second ascent, and there the real race began, Horner was feeling really strong, and seeing some of the GC competition struggling towards the back of the 65man peloton, he put in an attack, quickly followed by Samu Sanchéz.
This attack led to the formation of a 23man group out in front, several big names were present, including Contador, Rodriguez and LL Sanchéz. Contador has a big question surrounding his fitness here, returning from a second nasty injury this season, sustained on day 3 of the Tour De France.
With Menchov and Rodriguez having missed the split, the Katusha and Geox-TMC teams, doubled up and were able to haul back the un-cooperative group out in front.
With 5km to go, an uphill sprint awaited the riders, a sure sign of the true fitness levels of the Punchers and Climbers.
With 1km to go the sprint started, Sanchéz was out in front, being tracked by Horner, and behind them, Rodriguez, Scarponi and Vinokourov. On the other side of the road, Geox were taking on the main train, with Cobo being led out by De La Fuente.
Sanchéz takes the stage with ease. He simply rode away from the competition in the last 200metres, to an easy stage win, showing his good form from Le Tour is continuing.
Horner can ride along with the best in the hills, but lacks the explosive finish, he needed to come around Samu. He took 5th today, with the podium completed by Rodriguez (Katusha) and Cobo (Geox)
Today is another where we will be likely to see splits in the peloton. The race travels inland from Marbella towards the Valdepénas de Jaén. The race is mostly uphill today, with the final climb coming just 8km from the finish, meaning a late attack could get a time gap to the pack.
9men formed the break of the day after 2 attacks coalesced after around 25km in the saddle. We were without representation, instead looking after Horner inside the peloton, whilst Louder recovered after yesterdays exploits.
On the descent from the first categorised climb, Cavendish took a fall off the bike along with Katusha man, Ivanov, and several domestiques. It will be interesting to see whether or not he recovers before tomorrows more favourable stage.
With 50km to ride, Geox-TMC rider, Durán made an attack from the peloton. he seemed to be targetting the stage, and quickly rode past the morning breakaway, whose lead was quickly falling.
Onto the slopes of the final climb of the day, and the peloton have the break in sight up ahead, Durán is just slightly ahead of them, but will be hard pressed to stay away with so little distance between him and the pack.
As the pack caught the break, the first real action of the day from the GC men was seen, Rodriguez and Sanchéz led a breakaway, tailed by several riders including Horner.
A few of the pre-race favourites were found out today, Contador was clinging to the back of the reducing peloton, clearly not yet fully fit following the crash, and Scarponi, Vinokourov and LL.Sanchéz were unable to follow this break.
Gilbert, Menchov and Cunego managed to get across to the leaders as they entered the final 5km. Whilst Luis Sanchéz and Scarponi were trying to get across behind. would the time gaps be enough to make men pay today?
Cunego takes the victory, easily holding off Sanchéz and Horner in order to take a stage victory for Lampre. The Chasing Duo were sufficiently close to both groups to stop the riders from gaining any time, meaning that Horner is still stuck in 40th, however, he is showing good form, hopeful for later in the race.
After a tiring journey south east to Guadix, the race sees the first of the sprinters days with an undulating, though not complex route covering 189km into Lorca.
A strong 6 man group including Nuyens and Napolitano went away early in the stage, and built up a convincing lead. The other men in the group were weaker, and forced the strongest men to do the brunt of the work as the group pulled away from the peloton.
With the breaks lead up to 4minutes, Jos Van Emden (Rabobank) and Lastras (Movistar) bridged the gap and got involved with the pace setting, much to the relief of Nuyens.
Under the second interemediate sprint, the break started to look threatening, 9'01" with 82km remaining, and no longer were people sitting in the back, instead trying to fight the sprinters teams for an unlikely stage win.
The breaks lead fell, but with 10km to go, they still held 1'37". Nuyens decided it was time to test the legs of his companions, putting in the first dig, brought back by Van Emden shortly afterwards.
With 1km to go, 2 of the breaks weaker men found themselves with a gap to the break, who were sitting just milliseconds ahead of the peloton, as the sprinters geared up.
Today belongs to Continental Tour Team - Andalucia, and there semi-sprinter, Lobato. He picks up a GT stage victory, ahead of Garmin rider Matt Wilson, and Vacansoleils Ongorato.
The sprinters came around the break for fourth, Boassen-Hagen just beating Greipel to the line, as the fight for the sprinters jersey begins.
I thought the sprint teams would have chased harder on the first sprint stage, but great to see Andalucia get a stage win!
Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime. Teach a man to cycle and he will realize fishing is stupid and boring.
The penultimate day of week 1, this is the shortest road-race day of the race, and mostly downhill. However, Alto de la Cresta is positioned just 13km from the finish line, so we may see a late break here taking victory from the sprinters who can climb.
Pre-Stage Favourites: Edvald Boassen-Hagen, Samu Sanchéz, Philippe Gilbert.
An 10man breakaway got free after 25km of riding, including Jeff Louder. He was hoping to maintain the break all the way to the climb, and pick up some valuable points for the KOM.
With a hard working 10man group, the break managed to open a 7minute lead over the peloton, before the pace was really upped behind, had they left it too late to reel in the break? The pace at the back would certainly make for some painful legs today.
With 3 teams opting to help with the chase, staying away became much more difficult, and by the base of the climb, they held just 51" advantage, thanks to the work of Sky, HTC and Omega-Pharma Lotto.
Seeing the time for the break was all but gone, Louder attacked for the KOM points, trailed by Mickael Buffaz. Louder took the points on the summit, to earn a 10point lead over Sanchéz for the White and Blue.
Spoiler
1
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
32
2
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
22
3
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
20
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
19
5
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
16
6
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
16
7
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
14
8
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
14
9
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
12
10
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
12
Knowing we had no chance in the sprint, and not wanting to waste some strong legs, Horner made a dig over the top to try and take the stage win, catching his GC competitors flat footed over the top, to earn an advantage onto the descent.
However, no team was willing to let Horner go, and the pace flew up on the descent. Horner was reeled in, and a disorganised sprint began, with Sanchéz at the front.
Boassen-Hagen was the quickest man still with something left in the legs, but he was blocked out by Katusha, and Sanchéz held a strong lead into the last 800m.
Easy victory in the end for the Basque man, who picks up his 4th GT stage of the season. Horner finished 22nd on the day, and we see a change of owner of the red jersey, as Sanchéz has now collected enough bonus seconds to move past Radioshack into the leaders jersey.
Stage Results
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
3h19'14
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
3
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
s.t.
6
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
7
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Javier Benítez
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
9
Fabian Wegmann
Leopard Trek
s.t.
10
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
Spoiler
11
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
12
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
13
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
14
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
15
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
s.t.
16
José Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
17
Xavier Tondo
Movistar Team
s.t.
18
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
19
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
s.t.
20
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
s.t.
21
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
s.t.
22
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
s.t.
23
Carlos Sastre
Geox - TMC
s.t.
24
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
25
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
26
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
27
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
28
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
29
Jesús Rosendo
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
30
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
31
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
s.t.
32
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
s.t.
33
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
34
José Herrada
Caja Rural
s.t.
35
Xavier Florencio
Geox - TMC
s.t.
36
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
s.t.
37
Leif Hoste
Katusha Team
s.t.
38
Stefan Denifl
Leopard Trek
s.t.
39
Giacomo Nizzolo
Leopard Trek
s.t.
40
Dimitriy Muravyev
Team RadioShack
s.t.
41
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Sérgio Paulinho
Team RadioShack
s.t.
43
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
44
Brice Feillu
Leopard Trek
s.t.
45
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
s.t.
46
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
47
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
48
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
49
Rafaâ Chtioui
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
50
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
s.t.
51
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
52
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
53
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
54
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
55
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
56
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
s.t.
57
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
58
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
59
Levi Leipheimer
Team RadioShack
s.t.
60
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
61
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
62
Michael Mørkøv
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
63
Denis Menchov
Geox - TMC
s.t.
64
José Luis Roldán
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
65
Luis Ángel Maté
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
66
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
67
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
68
Arkaitz Durán
Geox - TMC
s.t.
69
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
70
Romain Zingle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
71
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
72
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
73
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
s.t.
74
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
75
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
76
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
77
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
78
Jan Bakelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
79
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
80
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
81
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
82
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
83
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
84
Julián Sánchez Pimienta
Caja Rural
s.t.
85
Moisés Aldape
Exxon Duke
s.t.
86
Íñigo Cuesta
Caja Rural
s.t.
87
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
88
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
89
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
s.t.
90
Francisco Iriarte
Movistar Team
s.t.
91
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
92
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
93
Philip Deignan
Team RadioShack
s.t.
94
Christophe Le Mével
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
95
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
s.t.
96
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
97
Guillaume Levarlet
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
98
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
s.t.
99
Phil Zajicek
Exxon Duke
s.t.
100
Adrián Palomares
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
101
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
102
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
103
Juan José Lobato
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
104
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
105
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
106
Antonio Piedra
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
107
Pieter Weening
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
108
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
109
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
110
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
111
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
112
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
113
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
114
David Bernabéu
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
115
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
116
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
117
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
118
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
s.t.
119
Volodymir Gustov
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
120
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
121
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
s.t.
122
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
123
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
124
Ruslan Pidgornyy
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Diego Milán
Caja Rural
s.t.
126
Thomas Peterson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
127
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
128
Víctor De la Parte
Caja Rural
s.t.
129
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
130
Manuel Ortega
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
131
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
132
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
133
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 2'29
134
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
135
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
136
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
137
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
138
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
139
Laurent Mangel
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
140
Adam Blythe
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
141
Bert Grabsch
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
142
Tomas Vaitkus
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
143
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
144
Martin Velits
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
145
Jean-Eudes Demaret
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
146
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
s.t.
147
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
148
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
149
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
150
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
151
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
152
Klaas Lodewyck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
153
Pablo Lechuga
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
154
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
155
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
156
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
157
Marcel Wyss
Geox - TMC
s.t.
158
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
159
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
160
Brett Lancaster
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
161
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
162
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
163
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
s.t.
164
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
s.t.
165
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
166
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
167
Mark Renshaw
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
168
Steven Cozza
Exxon Duke
s.t.
169
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
170
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
171
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
172
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
s.t.
173
Carlos José Ochoa
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
174
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
175
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
176
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
177
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
s.t.
178
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
179
Peter Femal
Exxon Duke
s.t.
180
Peter Stetina
Exxon Duke
s.t.
181
Matthew Brammeier
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
182
Jimmy Casper
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
183
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
s.t.
184
Paolo Ciavatta
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
185
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
186
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
187
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
188
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
189
Robert Wagner
Leopard Trek
s.t.
190
Alex Rasmussen
HTC - Highroad
+ 5'26
191
Crescenzo D'Amore
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
192
Gatis Smukulis
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
193
Alessandro De Marchi
Androni Giocattoli
+ 6'06
194
Stéphane Poulhiès
Saur - Sojasun
+ 6'54
195
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
s.t.
196
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
s.t.
197
Shy Vogel
Exxon Duke
+ 8'22
198
Kalle Kriit
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
The big loser on the day, was Saxobank leader, Alberto Contador. It is clear he hasn't returned to fitness following an injury plagued season, and after 2 difficult days, finds himself over 6minutes down on the GC.
The final day of week one, and it should see a sprint finish due to the flat run in. Having said that, we're yet to see a true bunch sprint, so a breakaway might be succsesful once more.
Pre Race Favourites: Mark Cavendish, André Greipel, Edvald Boassen-Hagen.
The morning was filled with failed attacks, before a large 15man group established itself out in front.
The peloton however, wasn't happy with this size of breakaway, and after some work from the sprinters teams, it was back together once more. A second breakaway got clear with more success, containing just 2 riders, F.Landis and Fabio Taborre of Acqua & Sapone.
It was clear that despite a weak start for the sprinters, they still feel able to contest the points jersey, as demonstrated by the fierce battle for the final point at the second intermediate sprint, won by Boassen Hagen.
As the riders arrived at the base of todays categorised climb, the break was within touching distance, so Louder put in an attack, managing to get past the break to pick up full KOM points, just beating Vinokourov to the top.
The peloton quickly swept up the remaining men out in front, and as tehy entered the last 5km, Horner was sat on the wheel of the Garmin leadout, whilst Sanchéz was neatly towing the sprinters forwards, for the first big finish of the race, coming at the end of week 1.
1.4km to go, and the sprinters are perfectly set in order - Bennati, Freire, Boassen Hagen, Greipel, Cavendish. Horner is beginning to fade, the flat sprints are not his days, whatever he might like us to think!
700m, and the sprinters are really starting to wind up, Boassen-Hagen has got the front line, whilst Greipel and Cav are blocked by Samu Sanchéz, Freire is just opening up, but can he get past?
No he can't Boassen-Hagen proves the strongest today easily outsprinting, Bennati and Freire for top spot on the podium. The Manx Missile came 4th after being blocked out, showing some good form for later sprints.
After much searching and talks with several companies, we have 4 potential contracts to replace Duke Energy as a sponsor for next season, the contracts are very similar, so we've decided to hand the decision over to the sponsors, as to whose name they'd like on the jersey next year.
The options: Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Exxon as Single Sponsor, and Walmart. The choice is yours, vote here:
Week one is the easiest of the trio, but still held some challenges for the riders in the first few days. The hills throughout the week proved enough of a hiccup to seriously disrupt the sprinters, all of whom have suffered this season, unable to spark any major form.
The par cours so far, has not proved to much of a trouble for the non-sprinters, and the GC is still dominated (Though not led,) by the TTT winners, Radioshack.
Horner has had a good start to the race, including a podium, and 2 top 10 finishes, though the group has been finishing together, so he still finds himself sat in a lowly 39th spot at this point.
General Classification
Following stage victories on days 3 and 6, Euskaltel-Euskadi leader Samuel Sanchéz finds himself as race leader, bunny hopping the Radioshack side, and into the red jersey.
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
25h10'35
2
Sérgio Paulinho
Team RadioShack
+ 19
3
Levi Leipheimer
Team RadioShack
s.t.
4
Matthew Busche
Team RadioShack
s.t.
5
Philip Deignan
Team RadioShack
s.t.
6
Janez Brajkovič
Team RadioShack
s.t.
7
Tiago Machado
Team RadioShack
s.t.
8
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
+ 23
9
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
+ 24
10
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
+ 25
Spoiler
11
Denis Menchov
Geox - TMC
+ 33
12
Carlos Sastre
Geox - TMC
s.t.
13
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
s.t.
14
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
s.t.
15
Arkaitz Durán
Geox - TMC
s.t.
16
Danilo Di Luca
Katusha Team
+ 35
17
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
s.t.
18
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
s.t.
19
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
20
Alberto Losada
Katusha Team
s.t.
21
Xavier Tondo
Movistar Team
+ 43
22
Michael Rogers
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
23
Vasil Kiryienka
Movistar Team
s.t.
24
Simon Gerrans
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
25
David López
Movistar Team
s.t.
26
José Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
s.t.
27
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
28
Sergio Pardilla
Movistar Team
s.t.
29
David Arroyo
Movistar Team
s.t.
30
Morris Possoni
Sky ProCycling
s.t.
31
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
+ 44
32
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
33
Andrey Kashechkin
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
34
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
35
Brice Feillu
Leopard Trek
+ 46
36
Thomas Rohregger
Leopard Trek
s.t.
37
Peter Velits
HTC - Highroad
+ 50
38
Jesús Rosendo
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 55
39
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
+ 57
40
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 1'00
41
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
42
Pieter Weening
Rabobank Cycling Team
s.t.
43
Antonio Piedra
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 1'01
44
Adrián Palomares
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
45
David Bernabéu
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
46
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
+ 1'12
47
Chris Anker Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 1'19
48
Luis Ángel Maté
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 1'23
49
Christophe Le Mével
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 1'27
50
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'35
51
Matteo Carrara
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
52
Ruslan Pidgornyy
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
53
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
+ 1'38
54
José Herrada
Caja Rural
s.t.
55
Íñigo Cuesta
Caja Rural
s.t.
56
Julián Sánchez Pimienta
Caja Rural
s.t.
57
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1'41
58
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 1'43
59
David Loosli
Lampre - ISD
+ 3'13
60
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 3'30
61
Dimitriy Muravyev
Team RadioShack
+ 3'40
62
Xavier Florencio
Geox - TMC
+ 3'54
63
David Blanco
Geox - TMC
s.t.
64
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'56
65
Juan José Oroz
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
66
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'05
67
Denys Kostyuk
Lampre - ISD
s.t.
68
Fabian Wegmann
Leopard Trek
+ 4'07
69
Stefan Denifl
Leopard Trek
s.t.
70
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
s.t.
71
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 4'19
72
José Luis Roldán
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 4'22
73
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
s.t.
74
Manuel Ortega
Andalucía Caja Granada
s.t.
75
Nicki Sørensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 4'40
76
Jelle Vanendert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 4'47
77
Oleg Chuzhda
Caja Rural
+ 4'59
78
Ángel Vicioso
Androni Giocattoli
+ 5'04
79
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
+ 5'07
80
Guillaume Levarlet
Saur - Sojasun
+ 5'08
81
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
+ 5'26
82
Paolo Tiralongo
Pro Team Astana
+ 5'37
83
Andriy Grivko
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
84
Volodymir Gustov
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 5'44
85
Aleksejs Saramotins
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 5'48
86
Romain Zingle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
87
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
+ 6'27
88
Alberto Contador
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 6'52
89
Javier Benítez
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 6'54
90
Francisco Iriarte
Movistar Team
+ 7'08
91
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
92
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 7'12
93
Thomas Peterson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 7'25
94
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
+ 7'40
95
Assan Bazayev
Pro Team Astana
+ 8'06
96
Jan Bakelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 8'08
97
Mario Aerts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
s.t.
98
Alan Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8'21
99
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 8'29
100
Jackson Rodríguez
Androni Giocattoli
+ 8'49
101
Marcel Wyss
Geox - TMC
+ 8'55
102
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
+ 9'20
103
Sergueï Ivanov
Katusha Team
+ 9'23
104
Tomas Vaitkus
Pro Team Astana
+ 9'34
105
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
+ 9'38
106
Romain Sicard
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'46
107
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 9'49
108
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 10'06
109
Víctor De la Parte
Caja Rural
+ 10'35
110
Diego Milán
Caja Rural
s.t.
111
José Rujano
Androni Giocattoli
+ 10'38
112
Dmitriy Fofonov
Pro Team Astana
+ 11'10
113
Evgeni Petrov
Pro Team Astana
s.t.
114
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 11'44
115
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 11'54
116
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12'21
117
Leif Hoste
Katusha Team
+ 12'28
118
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 13'15
119
Murilo Fischer
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 13'20
120
Grega Bole
Lampre - ISD
+ 13'54
121
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 14'50
122
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
+ 15'00
123
Russell Downing
Sky ProCycling
+ 15'08
124
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
+ 15'18
125
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 15'28
126
Gabriel Rasch
Team Garmin - Cervélo
s.t.
127
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 16'30
128
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
+ 16'42
129
Carlos José Ochoa
Androni Giocattoli
+ 17'15
130
Sergey Lagutin
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 17'49
131
Pablo Lechuga
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 18'01
132
Laurent Mangel
Saur - Sojasun
+ 18'09
133
Danilo Hondo
Lampre - ISD
+ 18'10
134
Luca Solari
Androni Giocattoli
+ 18'14
135
Geoffroy Lequatre
Team RadioShack
+ 19'13
136
Iñaki Isasi
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 19'17
137
Michel Kreder
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 19'20
138
Juan José Lobato
Andalucía Caja Granada
+ 19'22
139
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
+ 19'23
140
Stuart O'Grady
Leopard Trek
+ 19'56
141
Steven Cozza
Exxon Duke
+ 19'59
142
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 20'09
143
Ben Swift
Sky ProCycling
+ 20'45
144
Peter Stetina
Exxon Duke
+ 21'28
145
Jean-Eudes Demaret
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 21'53
146
Nicolas Edet
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
s.t.
147
Joaquín Sobrino
Caja Rural
+ 22'00
148
Giacomo Nizzolo
Leopard Trek
+ 22'07
149
Stijn Vandenbergh
Katusha Team
+ 22'17
150
Michael Mørkøv
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 22'34
151
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
+ 22'43
152
Bert Grabsch
HTC - Highroad
+ 23'18
153
Phil Zajicek
Exxon Duke
+ 23'44
154
Moisés Aldape
Exxon Duke
+ 23'52
155
Arnaud Labbe
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 23'53
156
Alessandro Proni
Acqua & Sapone
+ 24'23
157
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 27'20
158
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 27'33
159
Jeremy Hunt
Sky ProCycling
+ 27'45
160
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 27'58
161
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 28'22
162
Rafaâ Chtioui
Acqua & Sapone
+ 28'24
163
Francesco Masciarelli
Pro Team Astana
+ 28'28
164
Greg Henderson
Sky ProCycling
+ 29'45
165
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 29'56
166
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
+ 30'11
167
Martin Velits
HTC - Highroad
+ 30'14
168
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 30'59
169
Klaas Lodewyck
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 32'51
170
Simone Masciarelli
Acqua & Sapone
+ 33'01
171
Peter Femal
Exxon Duke
+ 35'27
172
Juan José Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
+ 35'55
173
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 35'56
174
Arnaud Coyot
Saur - Sojasun
+ 36'23
175
Fabrice Jeandesboz
Saur - Sojasun
+ 36'43
176
Robert Wagner
Leopard Trek
+ 37'00
177
Adam Blythe
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 38'35
178
Theo Bos
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 40'32
179
Tristan Valentin
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 40'33
180
Jürgen Roelandts
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 40'35
181
Mark Renshaw
HTC - Highroad
+ 41'58
182
Alex Rasmussen
HTC - Highroad
+ 42'39
183
Gatis Smukulis
HTC - Highroad
s.t.
184
Brett Lancaster
Team Garmin - Cervélo
+ 44'01
185
Alessandro Donati
Acqua & Sapone
+ 46'15
186
Matthew Brammeier
HTC - Highroad
+ 46'22
187
Paolo Ciavatta
Acqua & Sapone
+ 47'25
188
Alessandro De Marchi
Androni Giocattoli
+ 48'36
189
Shy Vogel
Exxon Duke
+ 50'42
190
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
+ 51'07
191
Jimmy Casper
Saur - Sojasun
+ 53'07
192
Jussi Veikkanen
Omega Pharma - Lotto
+ 56'13
193
Rony Martias
Saur - Sojasun
+ 59'23
194
Kalle Kriit
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 59'30
195
Crescenzo D'Amore
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h01'58
196
Luca Barla
Androni Giocattoli
+ 1h03'26
197
Francesco Di Paolo
Acqua & Sapone
+ 1h16'08
198
Stéphane Poulhiès
Saur - Sojasun
+ 1h51'18
Points Jersey
One man has been consistently in the top10 in the Vuelta, no, not a sprinter. Mr Samuel Sanchéz is the on road leader of not just the GC, but also the points competition!
The only sprinter too have had what could be described as a good start to the race, is the demi-all rounder, Edvald Boassen-Hagen, though he finds himself 31points behind Sanchéz, with his strongest week behind him.
1
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
92
2
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
61
3
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
54
4
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
36
5
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
35
6
Óscar Freire
Rabobank Cycling Team
34
7
André Greipel
Omega Pharma - Lotto
32
8
Damiano Cunego
Lampre - ISD
31
9
Juan José Lobato
Andalucía Caja Granada
29
10
Simon Clarke
Pro Team Astana
27
Spoiler
11
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
26
12
Matthew Wilson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
24
13
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
23
14
Giairo Ermeti
Androni Giocattoli
23
15
Alberto Ongarato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
22
16
Daniele Bennati
Leopard Trek
20
17
Daniel Lloyd
Team Garmin - Cervélo
20
18
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
19
19
Luis León Sánchez
Rabobank Cycling Team
18
20
Philippe Gilbert
Omega Pharma - Lotto
18
21
Fabian Wegmann
Leopard Trek
18
22
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
18
23
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
16
24
Cyril Lemoine
Saur - Sojasun
16
25
Mark Cavendish
HTC - Highroad
15
26
Danilo Napolitano
Acqua & Sapone
15
27
Javier Benítez
Andalucía Caja Granada
14
28
Fabio Taborre
Acqua & Sapone
13
29
Koldo Fernández
Euskaltel - Euskadi
12
30
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
12
31
David De la Fuente
Geox - TMC
11
32
Yury Trofimov
Katusha Team
10
33
Nick Nuyens
Saxo Bank SunGard
9
34
Bert Grabsch
HTC - Highroad
9
35
Julian Dean
Team Garmin - Cervélo
9
36
Javier Moreno
Caja Rural
8
37
Jos Van Emden
Rabobank Cycling Team
8
38
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
6
39
Arkaitz Durán
Geox - TMC
6
40
Frederik Veuchelen
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
6
41
Joost Posthuma
Leopard Trek
5
42
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
5
43
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
4
44
Manuele Mori
Lampre - ISD
4
45
Jean-Marc Marino
Saur - Sojasun
4
46
Vladimir Miholjevic
Acqua & Sapone
4
47
Lucas Sebastián Haedo
Saxo Bank SunGard
4
48
Laurent Mangel
Saur - Sojasun
4
49
Michael Mørkøv
Saxo Bank SunGard
4
50
Jimmy Casper
Saur - Sojasun
4
51
Jesús Rosendo
Andalucía Caja Granada
3
52
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
2
53
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
2
54
Floyd Landis
Exxon Duke
2
55
Maarten Wynants
Rabobank Cycling Team
2
56
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
1
57
José Iván Gutiérrez
Movistar Team
1
58
Bram Tankink
Rabobank Cycling Team
1
59
Thomas Peterson
Team Garmin - Cervélo
1
60
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
1
61
Sébastien Rosseler
Team RadioShack
1
62
Rafaâ Chtioui
Acqua & Sapone
1
63
Brett Lancaster
Team Garmin - Cervélo
1
King of the Mountains
Jeff louder may not be favourite to finish up as King of the Mountains by the time the riders reach Madrid, but he's keen to hold onto the White and Blue dots for as long as possible.
Currently he sits 20points ahead of Mr Sammy-Im going to win everything-Sanchéz. after a couple of successful stages where he has been able to collect points.
1
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
42
2
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
22
3
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
20
4
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
19
5
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
16
6
Santo Anza
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
16
7
Juan José Cobo
Geox - TMC
14
8
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
14
9
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
12
10
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
12
Young Riders
Not much to say here, Radioshack are without youth, and Geox came second in the TTT, Rafael Valls has successfully protected the jersey ever since, sitting ahead of team mate.
As it is currently, 3rd placed Rigo Urán seems best placed to finish up in the white jersey, though a race day count of 53 might play against him later in the race.
1
Rafael Valls
Geox - TMC
25h11'08 (1)
2
Arkaitz Durán
Geox - TMC
+ 0 (2)
3
Rigoberto Urán
Sky ProCycling
+ 10 (3)
4
Simon Spilak
Lampre - ISD
+ 11 (4)
5
Bauke Mollema
Rabobank Cycling Team
+ 27 (5)
6
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky ProCycling
+ 2'57 (6)
7
Stefan Denifl
Leopard Trek
+ 3'34 (7)
8
Matthew Goss
HTC - Highroad
+ 4'34 (8)
9
Romain Zingle
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
+ 5'15 (9)
10
Francisco Iriarte
Movistar Team
+ 6'35 (10)
Week 2
Week 2 sees 2 transtition periods which might way heavy on some teams, we start with a final 2 days along the south coast, before a flight on the first rest day to Tarragona, where we spend 3 days in and out of Andorra. After that the riders move North West to the northern spanish coast, where week 2 ends, and the final week starts off.
8
Mountain
Sa. 4 Sept. 2010
Villena
Xorret del Catí
188,8 km
9
Mountain
Su. 5 Sept. 2010
Calpe
Alcoy
187 km
-
Rest day
Mo. 6 Sept. 2010
Tarragona
10
Mountain
Tu. 7 Sept. 2010
Taragona
Vilanova i la Geltrú
173,7 km
11
Mountain
We. 8 Sept. 2010
Vilanova i la Geltrú
Andorra (Vallnord / sector Pal)
208 km
12
Plain
Th. 9 Sept. 2010
Andorra la Vella
Lleida
175 km
13
Plain
Fr. 10 Sept. 2010
Rincón de Soto
Burgos
193,7 km
14
Mountain
Sa. 11 Sept. 2010
Burgos
Peña Cabarga
178,8 km
Week 2 should see the GC breakups that week 1 lacked, we start with a stage which looks tailored for the break. Classed as Mountainous, it looks like Louder will have to get into the break as there are many points available for anyone out in front.
From there the profiles should have something for everyone, though Stage 11 will be a real sign of the GC riders legs. The route this year lacks any huge summit finishes, so when we get climbs like this, expect to see the climbers really exploit them.
The first mountain classified day of racing starts the second week. The day has no single climb which will be decisive, but the ceaseless flow of ascent will surely rest heavily in many legs by the end.
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The breakaway was hard fought, both Nuyens and Louder were keen to create a break, Louder for the KOM points available, Nuyens as he looks to collect something for Saxobank, as there team leader Contador has looked off colour, and been dropped on even simple climbs so far.
Eventually, a 4 man group formed built on these two, and managed to get away on the slopes of the days first categorised climb, after Lampre eventually eased off the pace and let the quadruplet go.
Louder was active inside the breakaway, working hard, and managing to pick up max points from the first 3 climbs, as his breakaway companions didn't contest the sprints, meaning he collects 28points and furthers his lead over the GC men.
Spoiler
1
Jeff Louder
Exxon Duke
70
2
Joaquím Rodríguez
Katusha Team
35
3
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
26
4
Ezequiel Mosquera
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
26
5
Chris Horner
Exxon Duke
24
6
Paul Martens
Rabobank Cycling Team
21
7
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - ISD
20
8
Mickaël Buffaz
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne
20
9
Aitor Galdos
Caja Rural
17
10
Alexandre Vinokourov
Pro Team Astana
16
Over the top of the third KOM checkpoint, 2 further men attacked, looking to join the breakaway, Vicioso of Androni, and Gilbert of Omega-Pharma, both clearly felt strong, as they quickly covered the gap to the break, and upped the tempo out in front.
Gilbert was in no mood to hang around, and on the fourth climb of the day, he upped the pace once more, and split the break, dropping 3 of the 4 original members, trying to hold off the steadily closing peloton.
Gilbert decided his legs were good enough, and with a 2'57 gap to the peloton, he upped the pace in front once more, cracking his compadrés, attempting to go solo for the stage win.
He held off for a good while, and eventually, the favourites had had enough of waiting around, the first attacks came, from Rogers, Sanchéz, De la Fuente, Landis and Vinokourov.
Lampre had missed this first group, and we only sent a nominal rider with the attack, who sat back forcing others to work. The break didn't really succeed, and Sanchéz decided to try and make it on his own, bridging to Gilbert, but unable to open a serious gap to the main pack.
Katusha have brought a strong squad to Spain, and made use of it today to reel in the attackers. With 2km to go to the top of the climb, the 50man peloton was back together once more.
1km from the top, the big attack came. We knew this would be decisive and sent Horner to follow Purito, Who in standard form made his attack on the 22% section of the climb! Along with Samu, Scarponi, Tondo, Vino, and later joining them over the top; Luis Sanchéz and Mosquera.
This group opened a 40second lead over the rear Geox led peloton, and as the sprint started, Mosquera was in front, Horner held his wheel, though with nothing left, and behind them came Vino and Purito.
Mosquera takes the stage win, as for the first time in the race, we see the GC men establish themselves at the front with a gap. Horner finished 4th in the "Sprint" Whilst the days big losers, were Geox-TMC. They brought a strong side including Sastre, Menchov and Cobo, but couldn't join the break group in the attack.
, but great to see Andalucia get a stage win!
