Russian rider Denis Menchov (Rabobank) crowned yesterdays coup in the general classificationby winning the tenth stage
of the Vuelta Espana, a day of racing that finished at the summit of Ordino Arcalis.
A breakaway group of eighteen riders had to be hunted down by Menchov and co. on the Arcalís, the final climb of the stage.
The lead group consisted of well-known climbers like Damaiano Cunego (Lampre), but none of them posed any serious threat to
the position of the Russian in the classification. Belgian rider Jurgen van Goolen (Discovery Channel) was the best-ranked
rider at more than nine minutes. The Rabobank team kept a relativly high pace to make sure that the gap with the eighteen
escapees remained bridgeable, the work had to be done by only seven riders (Oscar Freire did not start today due to a buttocks
injury) and because the co-operation in the front was very effective. The gap was only two minutes at the start of the
final climb.
Before the overall favourites started their battle several riders tried to breakaway. Jurgen Van Goolen (Discovery Channel),
Ludovic Turpin (AG2R) broke away from the breakaway of the day and later Manuel Beltran (Liquigas) attacked. All were caught.
The finish line in Arcalis after a long grueling climb, which was the perfect opportunity for Sastre to try his luck.
Team CSC had to set a furious pace towards the final climb until Sastre took matters in his own hands and made an attempt
to escape. But he was closely followed by Menchov.
No less than eight riders had a shot at the stage win in a battle that lasted to the final meters and wound up in the hands
of the wearer of the golden jersey. Menchov turned back the challenge of Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) and Samuel Sánchez
(Euskatel) at the finish line. Manuel Beltrán (Liquigas), Carlos Sastre (CSC), Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Eüargne), Leonardo
Piepoli (Saunier Duval) and Igor Anton (Euskatel) were the other riders in the lead group.
Behind them, Ezequiel Mosquera (Karpin Galicia) lost half-a-minute but at least keeps hold on fifth place in the overall
standings.
"A nice victory as the leader," said Rabobank's sports Erik Breukink. "He did not win any extra time because of the victory,
but Denis is there; he knows that he is quick and then of course does not just give it away. It was a good day; he did not
experience any problems, and he was able to counter all attacks. But in the end, a rather large group still crossed the finish."
Words of disappointment seemed to echo through that statement, but the team boss immediately wanted to clarify that misunderstanding.
"I am very happy with how these last two days have unfolded. We held ourselves very well during these stages."
The remaining stages are said to be not heavy enough to threaten Menchov. Breukink wanted to temper the euphoria. "You
should never cheer too early. We have had some tough stages, but there are a couple more coming up. Denis must remain in good
condition and try to avoid having an off-day. Because it is true that it will be very difficult for the competitors to win
time."
Breukink further recapitulated on the start of the final climb. "It was very difficult to control in the beginning. The
first hour before the escape was characterized by fierce racing. Mauricio Ardila was on the alert and joined an escape so
as to protect Menchov. But at a certain moment, the eighteen riders were gone, and then it is important to reconsider your
options and get the troops back together. It was a hard job to minimize the gap. We would have preferred a smaller lead group.
The rest day, therefore, comes at just the right time for our boys."
CSC's sports director Kim Andersen said: "We did all we could to split the peloton and get Carlos to the front. He had
the legs for it, but there was a tough head wind on the climb towards Arcalis. On those occasions where he managed to get
a gap there were several riders, who found themselves in trouble, but then the wind made it impossible and in the end no one
was able to get away. There was nothing else to do but try, because it's in the mountains his opportunity to make a difference
lies, but today it wasn't possible."
Carlos Sastre harshly criticized the strategy of Leonardo Piepoli in the final climb of todays stage: "I’m very sorry,
but I have to say it: it seems disgraceful to me that a cyclist would dedicate himself to helping a leader who isn’t
part of his own team. Who am I talking about? Well, Leonardo Piepoli, obviously. This race could have been much nicer, but
you can’t form alliances like that. That takes a lot of nerve." Added Sastre: "I broke away with the idea of seeing
what Piepoli’s reaction would be and I saw how he was attacking right at that moment. I was playing possum, pretending
that I wasn’t feeling good, but in truth the only thing I did was confirm for sure what was going on in the race and
what the strategy of Piepoli and Menchov was."
Ezequiel Mosquera opted for being cautious in talking about his grand tour debut: "I’ve never raced in a three-week
event before, so there’s no way I can make a prediction or sit down and think about how far I can go because I truthfully
don’t know. For right now, this was a tough weekend and I got through it in good shape." Added Mosquera: "I’m
very happy for my team and because it is a great satisfaction for me personally. But I think it is important for the Karpin
team, the Galician politicians and all the sponsors who enabled us to move ahead in 2007. This race is our debut as a team
and the truth is we’re showing we’re up to the challenge. And that is the important thing to give back as much
on the roadway as they helped us from their offices."
Results
Stage 10
1 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
5.47.05 (36.99 km/h)
2 Cadel Evans (Aus) Predictor - Lotto
3 Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
4 Manuel Beltrán (Spa) Liquigas
5 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC
6 Vladimir Efimkin (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
7 Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saunier Duval - Prodir
8 Igor Antón (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
0.07
9 Ezequiel Mosquera Miguez (Spa) Karpin Galicia
0.33
10 Daniel Moreno (Spa) Relax - Gam
11 Josep Jufré (Spa) Predictor - Lotto
0.41
12 Philip Deignan (Irl) AG2r Prévoyance
0.51
13 Vladimir Karpets (Rus) Caisse d'Epargne
14 Oliver Zaugg (Swi) Gerolsteiner
15 Carlos Barredo (Spa) Quickstep - Innergetic
1.20
16 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas
1.37
17 René Mandri (Est) AG2r Prévoyance
1.50
18 Stijn Devolder (Bel) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
2.00
19 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
2.06
20 Luis Perez Rodriguez (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
21 Carlos Castaño (Spa) Karpin Galicia
2.24
22 Stéphane Goubert (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance
2.37
23 Bingen Fernandez (Spa) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
2.50
24 Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
25 Ludovic Turpin (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance
26 Tim Klinger (Ger) Gerolsteiner
3.09
27 Jurgen Van Goolen (Bel) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 3.23
28
Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Quickstep - Innergetic
3.46
29 Andrea Tonti (Ita) Quickstep - Innergetic
30 Alexandre Botcharov (Rus) Crédit Agricole
31 Ruben Lobato Elvira (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
32 Ángel Gómez Gómez (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
33 Leonardo Bertagnolli (Ita) Liquigas
34 Thomas Lövkvist (Swe) Française des Jeux
4.01
35 Wim Van Huffel (Bel) Predictor - Lotto
36 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team CSC
4.03
37 Volodymir Gustov (Ukr) Team CSC
4.13
38 David García (Spa) Karpin Galicia
4.38
39 Jean-Marc Marino (Fra) Crédit Agricole
40 Yannick Talabardon (Fra) Crédit Agricole
41 Santiago Perez (Spa) Relax - Gam
42 Stef Clement (Ned) Bouygues Telecom
4.55
43 Chris Anker Sørensen (Den) Team CSC
5.12
44 Alan Perez Lezaun (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
45 Joan Horrach (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
46 Renaud Dion (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance
5.28
47 Hubert Dupont (Fra) AG2r Prévoyance
7.17
48 Geert Verheyen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic
49 Jesús Hernández (Spa) Relax - Gam
7.25
50 Vincent Jérôme (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
7.58
51 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
52 Javier Megias Leal (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
53 Johannes Fröhlinger (Ger) Gerolsteiner
54 Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
55 Imanol Erviti Ollo (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
56 Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) Lampre - Fondital
57 David López (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
58 Santos González (Spa) Karpin Galicia
59 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
60 Egoi Martinez (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
61 Iker Camaño (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
62 Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Rabobank
63 Addy Engels (Ned) Quickstep - Innergetic
10.59
64 Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
12.08
65 Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) T-Mobile Team
66 Xavier Florencio (Spa) Bouygues Telecom
67 Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Française des Jeux
68 Ángel Vallejo (Spa) Relax - Gam
69 Jason McCartney (USA) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
70 Chris Horner (USA) Predictor - Lotto
71 Iñigo Cuesta (Spa) Team CSC
72 Davide Rebellin (Ita) Gerolsteiner
73 Stephan Schreck (Ger) T-Mobile Team
74 Inaki Isasi Flores (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
75 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
76 Sébastien Minard (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
77 David Herrero Llorente (Spa) Karpin Galicia
78 Mario Aerts (Bel) Predictor - Lotto
79 José Ángel Gómez Marchante (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir 13.09
80
Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
13.33
81 Patrick Calcagni (Swi) Liquigas
14.03
82 Dionisio Galparsoro (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
15.50
83 Roy Sentjens (Ned) Predictor - Lotto
18.54
84 Eduard Vorganov (Rus) Karpin Galicia
85 José Luis Carrasco (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
86 Matej Jurco (Svk) Team Milram
87 Yuriy Krivtsov (Ukr) AG2r Prévoyance
88 Aitor Hernández (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
89 Bert Grabsch (Ger) T-Mobile Team
90 Joost Posthuma (Ned) Rabobank
91 Mauricio Alberto Ardila (Col) Rabobank
92 Manuel Ortega Ocana (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
93 David De La Fuente (Spa) Saunier Duval - Prodir
94 Carlos Da Cruz (Fra) Française des Jeux
95 Marcus Ljungqvist (Swe) Team CSC
96 Karsten Kroon (Ned) Team CSC
97 José Vicente Garcia (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
21.13
98 José Luis Arrieta (Spa) AG2r Prévoyance
99 Xabier Zandio (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
100 Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne
101 Enrico Franzoi (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
23.32
102 Marco Marzano (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
103 Alessandro Vanotti (Ita) Liquigas
104 Paolo Bettini (Ita) Quickstep - Innergetic
105 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Team Milram
25.19
106 Fabio Sabatini (Ita) Team Milram
107 Marco Velo (Ita) Team Milram
108 Claudio Corioni (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
109 Christophe Brandt (Bel) Predictor - Lotto
110 Raúl García De Mateos (Spa) Relax - Gam
111 Andrea Moletta (Ita) Gerolsteiner
26.05
112 Stefan Schumacher (Ger) Gerolsteiner
28.10
113 Michael Blaudzun (Den) Team CSC
114 Gustavo Domínguez (Spa) Karpin Galicia
115 Kevin Hulsmans (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic
116 Alexandr Kolobnev (Rus) Team CSC
117 Tom Boonen (Bel) Quickstep - Innergetic
118 Allan Davis (Aus) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
119 Mauro Da Dalto (Ita) Liquigas
120 Laszlo Bodrogi (Hun) Crédit Agricole
121 Dimitri Champion (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
122 José Luis Rubiera (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
123 Geoffroy Lequatre (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
124 Manuel Vazquez Huesco (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
125 Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Crédit Agricole
126 Magnus Backstedt (Swe) Liquigas
127 Serafín Martínez Acevedo (Spa) Karpin Galicia
128 Cyrille Monnerais (Fra) Française des Jeux
129 Torsten Hiekmann (Ger) Gerolsteiner
130 Morris Possoni (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
131 Francisco Jose Martinez (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
132 Jesus Rosendo Prado (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
133 Alberto Ongarato (Ita) Team Milram
134 Gustavo César (Spa) Karpin Galicia
135 Juan Olmo Menacho (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
136 Scott Davis (Aus) T-Mobile Team
137 Francisco Terciado Sacedo (Spa) Relax - Gam
138 Alexandre Usov (Blr) AG2r Prévoyance
139 Jorge Garcia Marin (Spa) Relax - Gam
140 Martin Müller (Ger) Team Milram
141 Marc De Maar (Ned) Rabobank
142 Tom Stamsnijder (Ned) Gerolsteiner
143 Stéphane Augé (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
144 Davide Vigano (Ita) Quickstep - Innergetic
145 Maryan Hary (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
146 Damien Monier (Fra) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
147 David Loosli (Swi) Lampre - Fondital
148 Mickael Delage (Fra) Française des Jeux
149 Markus Fothen (Ger) Gerolsteiner
150 Jussi Veikkanen (Fin) Française des Jeux
151 Niki Terpstra (Ned) Team Milram
152 Bart Dockx (Bel) Predictor - Lotto
153 Elia Rigotto (Ita) Team Milram
154 José Antonio Lopez (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
155 Jose Ruiz Sanchez (Spa) Andalucia - Cayasur
156 Jérémy Roy (Fra) Française des Jeux
157 Andreas Klier (Ger) T-Mobile Team
158 Inigo Landaluze (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
159 Adam Hansen (Aus) T-Mobile Team
160 Sebastiaan Langeveld (Ned) Rabobank
161 Christophe Kern (Fra) Crédit Agricole
162 Theo Eltink (Ned) Rabobank
163 Mark Renshaw (Aus) Crédit Agricole
28.59
164 Nacor Burgos Rojo (Spa) Relax - Gam
30.59
165 Erki Pütsep (Est) Bouygues Telecom
32.02
166 Julian Sanchez Pimienta (Spa) Relax - Gam
32.30
167 André Greipel (Ger) T-Mobile Team
37.52
168 André Korff (Ger) T-Mobile Team
169 Pedro Horrillo Munoz (Spa) Rabobank
41.05
170 Koldo Fernandez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi
171 Aurélien Clerc (Swi) Bouygues Telecom
172 Angelo Furlan (Ita) Crédit Agricole
173 Rony Martias (Fra) Bouygues Telecom
DNS Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
DNF Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team
DNF Ian McLeod (RSA) Française des Jeux
DNF Paolo Tiralongo (Ita) Lampre - Fondital
