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18.08.2007/Colombian Mauricio Soler won the Vuelta a Burgos in Spain outright. Coming in with the main
field on the final stage 5 was enough for the Barloworld rider to take the overall title.
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| Mauricio Soler in Paris (picture: Hein Zwicky) |
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne), being just 2" behind Soler in the general classification, attacked with 2 km to
go but Soler and his team-mates have been ready to react. "It was the most difficult moment indeed, Barloworld sports
director Alberto Volpi said, "since we haven't further difficulties to control the race on the first and second climb."
Soler laid the foundations for his success by taking Wednesday's stage 2 in Lagunas de Neila after a solo ride, "even
though - a happy Soler said after the ceremony - I consider really important my performance in the Friday's time-trial, where
I was fourth. To upgrade my progress in time-trial becomes decisive for having a future in the stage races." He also
received precious suggestions from his directeur sportif Alberto Volpi about the most appropriate wheels and rear to use.
In the Vuelta a Burgos Team Barloworld got the sixteenth victory of their impressive season, the third for Soler after
Tour de France's Briancon stage (apart the polka-dot jersey achieved as the TdF King of Mountain) and the Vuelta a Burgos
second stage. Soler had a special thought for his unlucky team-mate Ryan Cox who died three weeks ago: "I really wish
to dedicate this victory to Ryan," he said.
In the final stage indefatigable Kiriyenka spent a long day in the mountains riding in the second lengthy escape in four
days time, side-by-side with Evgeni Petrov. Despite the fact that the peloton gave a wild chase and the gap was quickly thinning
down, Tinkoff riders and their breakaway partners never gave up. Petrov's powerful attack disorganized the leading group and
than his teammate Kiriyenka went all out with some 2 km to go. Francisco Perez Sanchez from Caisse d'Epargne tried hard to
bridge up to the Byelorussian, but had to throw in the towel when the finish line was less than a hundred meters ahead.
"It's hard to deny that I'm happy with the performance of our guys in this race," commented Tinkoff sports director
Orlando Maini. "Two beautiful wins is just one reason, the other one is the fact that the team rode like a single whole,
giving their maximum; there was not a single rider whose efforts I can underrate saying he was not strong enough. It's important
that the race was aired live in Russia and Belarus by Eurosport, so the fans could see the most spectacular moments and share
our joy after victories."
Results
Stage 5
1 Vasil Kiryenka (Blr) Tinkoff Credit Systems 3.39.42 (43.15 km/h)
2 Francisco Perez Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.02
3 Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Acqua & Sapone - Caffe Mokambo 0.11
4 Daniele Nardello (Ita) Team L.P.R.
5 Antonio Olmo Menacho (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
6 David Garcia Dapena (Spa) Karpin Galicia
7 David De La Fuente Rasilla (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
8 Samuel Sánchez González (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
9 Jaume Rovira Pons (Spa) Viña Magna - Cropu
10 Israel Perez Rodriguez (Spa) Extremadura - Spiuk
Final General Classification
1 Juan Mauricio Soler (Col) Barloworld 14.31.37
2 Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 0.02
3 Carlos Castaño Panadero (Spa) Karpin Galicia 0.30
4 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Relax - Gam 0.47
5 José Ángel Gómez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
6 Moises Duenas Nevado (Spa) Agritubel 1.23
7 David Herrero Llorente (Spa) Karpin Galicia 1.52
8 José Miguel Esp Elías Galindo (Spa) Relax - Gam 2.08
9 Javier Moreno Bazan (Spa) Extremadura - Spiuk 2.15
10 Rubén Plaza Molina (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
Related stories:
Race reports
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