Vuelta a España Stage 21: Leganés to Madrid

Yesterday the clouds and mist descended on the final climb of the 2013 Vuelta a España.

On the climb of the Angliru the first of the top ten to get dropped was Leopold Konig (TNE). Then on the first ramp of the steepest part of the climb Vincenzo Nibali launched an attack. But he was was brought back, and then he attacked again. But by now it was only the Chris Horner (RSL) led trio with Alejandro Valverde (MOV) and Joaquim Rodriguez (KAT) who could retain his wheel. But as the mist came down and the crowds closed around it was soon time for Horner to go to the front and press on.

First Valverde dropped off the pace a little, but pulled back, but then Rodriguez and Valverde both fell a short gap behind Horner and Nibali. But then out of one corner Horner launched an attack and Nibali appeared to have stalled. The gap was established and was only going to increase from there to the line.

In the end as the GC contenders had been making their way through breakaway riders only Kenny Elissonde (FDJ) was able to stay ahead. But next over the line some 26 seconds later was Chris Horner taking some vital bonus seconds and the clock then ticked over to see what sort of lead he would have. Valverde was leading the chase group and Nibali could have sprinted for the extra seconds for third. But when they crossed the line some 28 seconds further back it was Valverde who took the only remaining time bonus.

Rodriguez came in 1'45" behind the stage winner, Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) 2'20" and Nicolas Roche (TST) 3'42" down. So the final GC should look like this:

1. Chris Horner
2. Vincenzo Nibali +37"
3. Alejandro Valverde +1'36"
4. Joaquin Rodriquez +3'22"
5. Nicolas Roche +7"11"
6. Domenico Pozzivivo +8'00"
7. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) +8'41"
8. Samuel Sachez (EUS) +9'51"
9. Leopold Konig (TNE) +10'11"
10. Daniel Moreno (TST) +13'11"

So along with being in the red jersey Chris Horner also has the white jersey for best all around rider, Valverde remains in the Green for points leader and Nicolas Edet (COF) has done enough to win the king of the mountains. Euskaltel- Euskadi who were dead before the start of La Vuelta have emerged as the best team some 1'02" ahead of Movistar and with a saviour in the shape of Fernando Alonso.

Today's final stage will be a mainly ceremonial loop around the capital from Leganés before heading back into the centre of the city and a 5.7km circuit taking the race over the finish line 8 times before opening it up for those sprinters that have survived this tough race to fight it out.

The race is over for the GC contenders but too many times this race the sprinters teams have lost out on what should have been a stage to showcase their sprinters. Maybe finally in Madrid there will be a final bunch sprint which isn't chasing down a last few lone escapees.

Then when Chris Horner crosses the line he will not only be the oldest man to complete La Vuelta but will also be the oldest man ever to win a Grand Tour race.

Vuelta a España Stage 20: Avilés to Alto de l´Angliru

Yesterday was a day that saw the race for the red jersey heat up once again. With only three seconds separating Vincenzo Nibali from Chris Horner at the start of the day it was always going to serve up that potential. Ahead of today's final competitive stage for the GC contenders it was always going to be a tense affair.

On the final climb of the day the first rider to attack was Jose Joao Mendes (TNE), not someone to be feared. But the pace of the Team SaxoBank Tinkoff riders brought him back and that allowed their leader Nicolas Roche to launch his own attack. However, before they caught him Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) had been dropped by the pack.

Michele Scarponi (LAM) was the first to respond to the Irishman's attack. But then it was Joaquin Rodriguez (KAT) who stepped up the pace in the last km overhauling them both and pulling away for the stage way and the bonus seconds for coming first. Behind him taking the other valuable bonus seconds were Diego Ulissi (LAM) at 11 seconds and Daniel Moreno (KAT) on the same so none of the GC contenders picked up bonus time. Samuel Sanchez (EUS)  had finshed with Ulissi and Moreno.

Then it was:

• Chris Horner (RSL) +14"
• Alejandro Valverde (MOV) +14"
• Michele Scarponi (LAM) +16"
• Leopold Konig (TNE) +20"
• Vincenzo Nibali (AST) +20"
• Nicolas Roche (TST) +23"
• ...
• Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) +33"
•  ...
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) +1'05"

The net result is that the race is still lead by only three seconds, but this time it is the gap that Horner has over Nibali rather than the other way around at the start.

Today although the stage is 142.2km long it will come down to the last 13 of these, 12.2 of which are the climb of Alto de l'Angliru (pictured).

There is a particularly tough section near the summit between 4 to 2km left to race and this is where time gaps will open up between those guys who think they have a chance can make up time. Rodriguez showed yesterday what he can do on an explosive climb and along with the bonus seconds for coming first he might well be able to make up his 1'57" on Horner. Valverde sitting only 1'06" back will probably have to go before or with Rodriquez and hope that Horner is on a bad day, but that gap could also be reduced on the upper reaches today. Horner may burn himself out trying to match the other two and allow Nibali those vital few seconds even if it is just from a top three finish ahead of him to steal back the red jersey.

The only hope for Roche who is 3'49" back would be for a long attack far down the climb before the others are ready, but unlike in recent days he is going to have to keep going at the pace that they are going at, if not faster to make sure he can the time he needs.

It will be a tough day but the one that will final determine which man will win the 68th edition of La Vuelta a España.

Vuelta a España Stage 19: S. Vicente Barquera to Oviedo Alto Naranco

As I said yesterday they would be gaps appearing amongst the GC contenders and so it proved.

It also proved to be the day that after three second places Sky finally secured a stage win in the shape of Vasil Kiryienka who attacked solo a long way out from the breakaway of 15 and stayed away (as did four others from the inevitable attacks from behind as the GC contenders were making the most of one of the final big mountain finishes.

Further down the mountain it was Nicolas Roche's Team SaxoBank-Tinkoff, or Alejandro Valverde's Movistar or Joaquim Rodriguez's Kathusa team mates who were setting the early pace. Chris Horner did have two of his Radioshack Leopard team mates for company as well. The main group was constantly getting whittled down, and then the three remaining Kathusha riders mounted the first telling attack. It was one that Radioshack's Kiserlovski started to close down for his team leader. And then Horner went for it opening up a gap and starting to pull back more of the breakaway riders. Vincenzo Nibali was not able to match his and then Valverde also pulled away.

On the line the GC contenders finished:

• Horner 6th +1'53"
• Rodriguez 8th +2'13"
• Valverde 9th +2'13"
• Nibali 10th +2'18"
• Roche 11th +2'18"

Therefore the major gainer was the oldest man on La Vuelta who managed to pull to within 3 seconds of the Red Jersey with two days in the mountains remaining.

Today's stage is not a major mountain stage that is left for tomorrow.

But there are still three climbs in the last 35km of today's 181 of racing. the final one is a category two, not necessarily enough to make big gains you would think, but at the end of a three week stage race anyone can be having a bad day and with only 3 seconds between the top two even getting a time bonus on the line may be enough if they can get into the top 3 places.

Today I don't really expect to see too major a shake up, I expect that to be saved for the last climb the Angliru tomorrow. But Chris Horner might just try to get up there to take a few seconds and a time bonus if the opportunity arises, better to be in red going into the last competitive stage than having to make up that last little bit of time.

Vuelta a España Stage 18: Burgos to Peña Cabarga

Yesterday was a 'flat' stage so there shouldn't have been any drama, right? No!

At 30km to go the race went over a narrow bridge and got strung out just as the race was heading into the cross winds. So the 150 or so riders that are left in this Vuelta were split into four echelons. The top four had all made the front group, but then we got to Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) who had missed out and his five second lead over Nicolas Roche (TST) was in danger as he and a number of his team mates were in the front group. Also missing was 7th place Thibaut Pinot.

In that front group were also three of the four remaining Belkin riders and near the end it was one of there number Bauke Mollema who launched an attack. The sprinters who were left in the pack Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY), Tyler Farrar (GRS) and Maximilano Richeze (LAM) were holding off until a little nearer the line. But they waited to long and Mollema took the stage. Boason Hagen still looking for that illusive win in the third Grand Tour came second once again, ahead of Richeze and Farrar. But for Nicolas Roche it was the fact that the group of Pozzivivo and Pinot that came in 1'31" later that sees he somewhat more secure as a top five finisher.

Today's stage travels 186.5km mostly towards the Bay of Biscay and Santander. However, just before they reach the city outskirts there is a whip back inland to face the Peña Cabarga.

5.9km long, climbing 545m to a height of 565m and the average gradient is 9.2%. But it is the final km that is a real sting in the tail. It climbs to a maximum of 20% but is largely over 15% for most of that final km.

It is the sort of finish that Joaquim Rodriguez (KAT) loves to attack. It also seems to be one that Chris Horner (RSL) can make ground on Nibali. But what if Nicolas Roche goes earlier, can he hang on. There will be a lot of questions asked today and we will just have to wait to see the answers. One question is can Nibali hang on to the red jersey never mind his time advantage.

Vuelta a España Stage 17: Calahorra to Burgos

So on the last stage before the rest day on Monday we learnt two things.

First that Vincenzo Nibali, despite having one of only two complete squads in this year's Vuelta can still be found vulnerable. Second Warren Barguil after his win earlier in the race doesn't know when he beaten, even if the rider who comes up behind him has been on the podium at the end of Grand Tours.

Monday's stage was the last of the Pyrenées stages and was relatively modest compared to the others. But on the back of two tough days there were a lot of tired legs out there. So it was that 16 men were able to stay away from the main contenders until the end.

A sprinter's finish on a climb!

On the final climb the young French rider Warrer Barguil (ARG) set off on his own, and only in the later stages did Rigoberto Uran (SKY),  Bartosz Huzarski (TNE) and Dominic Nerz (BMC) start to close him down. After one hair pin Barguil appeared to almost come to a stand still and then Uran pounced. But the young man fought to stay on his will. The two of them making their way up towards the line with the Columbian doing all the work. The other two almost got back to them with 200m to go before Uran launched his bid for the line only for Barguil to respond and win by centimetres on the line. He may well with his second more fighting win of this Vuelta have also ridden himself into contention for a spot on the French team for the forthcoming world championships.

Down the road behind them though there was a shake up waiting to happen. The first to attack was Alejando Valverde (MOV) but he was soon pulled back. Then it was the turn of Nicolas Roche (TST) to try and claw back a few of those seconds he had lost the day before. Joaquin Rodriguez (KAT) launched a bid over the top of him Roche responded with Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM). But behind Robert Kiserlovski (RSL) was applying the pressure for his team leader Chris Horner and finally the elastic broke on the race leader and Giro d'Italia champion. Horner ended up moving away with Valverde and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) in his wheel but the red jersey was doing all he could to just stop losing too much to all his rivals (except Leopold Konig who was left with him).

In the end Rodriguez was the best of the GC contended some 1'41`" behind the photo finish for first. But these are the gaps that mattered:

• Joaquin Rodriguez (KAT)
• Alejandro Valverde (MOV) +3"
• Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) +6"
• Chris Horner (RSL) +6"
• Samuel Sanchez (EUS) +15"
• Nicolas Roche (TST) +22"
• Igor Anton (EUS) +23"
• Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) +23"
• Leopold Konig (TNE) +27"
• Vincenzo Nibali (AST) +28"

It means that the men within 5 minutes of Nibali now are:

1. Nibali 64h 06'01"
2. Horner +28"
3. Valverde +1'14"
4. Rodriguez +2'29"
5. Pozzivivo +3'38"
6. Roche +3'43"
7. Pinot +4'37"

Worse for Nibali is that none of those gaps look insurmountable should one of his opponents have a good day and he finds himself on a bad one.

Today's stage is the last flat stage until the race enters Madrid on Sunday. So if there are any sprinters left in the field this is their chance to shine, providing the days in the Pyrenées and the rain and cold having affected them. When we say flat in the Vuelta there are tow 3rd category climbs on the route. But there aren't any surprises for them at the end as the last 5km into Burgos is a flt bit of road.

Vuelta a España Stage 15: Andorra to Peyragudes

Yesterday the weather turned on La Vuelta and a number of high profile riders abandonned. Ivan Basso (CAN) stepped off suffering from hypothermia and Luis Leon Sanchez who had been in the attack had a crash on the wet roads and also abandoned.

However, two members of the breakaway put up a good show and were still away as the race reached the last climb of the day. One was the World Champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC) the other was Daniele Ratto (CAN). As a result of the previous climbs of the day Gilbert was the virtual leader of the king of the mountains classification as they started on the final ascent.

Radioshack took to the front and increased the pace for Chris Horner and slowly the other contenders fell off the back. Alejandro Valverde (MOV) was first, then Nicolas Roche (TST), Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and Joaquin Rodriguez (KAT) leaving just two up front chasing down the remnants of the breakaway. The red jersey on the shoulders of Vincenzo Nibali and the polka dots then on the back of Horner. Of those that had been dropped however, Valverde was making progress through the others.

The world champion was caught as Horner was forced by Nibali to make all the pace up the climb, but 23 year old Ratto was too far ahead and still riding strong. High up in Andorra he crossed the line first, 3'53" later Nibali powered past Horner to secure second place by two seconds but it was the gaps behind that were important. Rodriquez was 18 seconds behind the red jersey, Samuel Sanchez (EUS) 26", Valverde 50", Pinot and Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) 53", Leopold Konig (NAE) 1'28", Roche 3'29", Michele Scarponi (LAM) 4'31".

The top 10 now looks like this:

1. Vincenzo Nibali (AST) 53hr 56'49"
2. Chris Horner (RSL) + 50"
3. Alejandro Valverde (MOV) + 1'42"
4. Joaquin Rodriguez (KAT) + 2'57"
5. Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) + 3'43"
6. Nicolas Roche (TST) + 4'06"
7. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) + 4'34"
8. Leopold Konig (NEA) + 5'42"
9. Daniel Moreno (KAT) + 6'28"
10. Tanel Kangert (AST) + 6'45"

Today is no let up for the riders as the longest stage of La Vuelta heads into France. There are 225km of racing over 4 first category climbs ending on the Peyragudes, which made its Tour debut in 1910.

The first climb comes almost straight from the start up the Puerto del Cantó. It is 24.4km rising 1,040m to 1,720m at 4.2% average with a maximum gradient of 10% on the lower slopes.

Then it is on towards the Puerto de la Bonaigua which is only 20km in length but climbs 1,100m to the hih point of the day at 2,090m with an average gradient of 5.5% but after the 12.5% maximum about 8 km into the climb it is harder on the higher slopes than what had been up to that point.

On the descent the race crosses into France and prepares for the Col du Ports de Balés a regular feature in the Tour de France which is celebrating 100 editions this year. At 19.2km with a vertical gain of 1,195m it has the biggest increase on altitude of the four climbs today. The average of 6.2% gradient is also the toughest and once the race reaches the summit it a quick descent and then straight unto the final climb of the day.

Then it is unto the Peyragudes which first appeared in a Grand Tour 103 years ago. When it was ascended for a second time in 2012 Alejandro Valverde it was who reached the top first. There is only 800m of verical gain and the last two km are somewhat flat, but coming straight after the Port de Balés it will still prove a real test of the legs.

The weather again is forecast to be wet with the possibility of thunder and lightning on the Peyragudes. So again the condition of the riders through the day is important as well as keeping the bike upright. Anything could  happen once again and any one of the riders who lost time yesterday may be able to pull it back. Although Nibali defeated the awful conditions of the Giro d'Italia at the start of the year so seems one of those best suited to doing so again today.

Vuelta a España Stage 14: Bagà to Andorra

Yesterday's stage could have been a bunch finish, even with its ramp at the end, if the bunch had decided to actually wheel in the escapees. What had been an 18 man breakaway ten of whom managed to stay away up the Alto del Rat Penat. Although Michele Scarponi (LAM) launched an attack on the final km of the climb to take the points on the day's bigger mountain.

However, he was brought back in on the descent. On the run in there was a narrowing of the road under a tunnel which caught out Beñat Intxaust (MOV) in the breakaway and then Daniel Moreno (KAT) in the peleton. But by then it looked like the break could stay away..

Attacks started Egoi Martinez (EUS) and Jerome Coppel (COF) tried and were joined by Scarponi. but the remaining six pulled them back with just over 2km to go. Then before they got to the last km Warren Barguil (ARG) who is only 21 and riding in his first Grand Tour attacked. He was given too much of a gap and stayed away on the ramp to the finish in the end leading across the line by 7 seconds. 

Today La Vuelta enters the Pyrenees far a day with four climbs as we finish outside Spain in Andorra.

The first climb of the day is the second Especial (Hors Categorie) climb of the race, the 26.7km climb of the Port de Envalira. Climbing up 1,390m to the summit at 2,410m. It only averages 5.6% but has two ramps of 15% near the summit.

However, after it there is still 68.4 km of racing to come with two second category climbs before the final climb up Collada de la Gallina it is a 7.2km climb through Andorra over 7.2km with an average gradient of 8% with a maximum of 15% about half way up. Though it has to be seen if Chris Horner (RSL) can launch another of his attacks here, or maybe Nicolas Roche (TST) will be able to get away from Vincenzo Nibali (AST) and make his own attack on the 31 second deficit. Alejandro Valverde (MOV) is another who is still looking for time and what about Joaquin Rodriguez (KAT). There will be explosive attacks among the GC contenders on that final climb it is a matter of who gains the most from them.

Vuelta a España Stage 13: Valls to Castelldefels

Yesterday's stage did turn out to be a bunch finish, after the three man break was brought back in the resort of Salou in the final 20km. Nicolas Roche (TST) sneaked back 2 seconds coming second in the sprint at Port Aventura behind Ivan Basso (CAN). After which Tony Martin (OPQ) went clear of the peleton, but he was pulled back just before they entered the last 10km.

Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) suffered a flat tyre with 4.5km to go, but thanks to the extension of the 3km rule to 5km he ended up not losing precious time.

But then it also ended what was looking to be a year of drought for the man in the rainbow jersey. In his last race before he had to relinquish the jersey Philippe Gilbert (BMC) had been desperate to not end the year without crossing the line first. Only Stephen Roche, the father of Nicolas had completely failed in the rainbow jersey but he suffered an injury affected 1988 the year after his triple crown. But it wasn't easy for him as Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY) was launched off the last bend with 300m to go and opened up a gap, which only one man, in the rainbow jersey went to chase down and only managed to overhaul the Norwegian, who is looking to win a stage in the third Grand Tour, in the final 10m.

Today however, we return to a day for the climbers athough most of the day is merely bumpy with 50km to go to the finish there is a Alto del Rat Penat, It is basically a wall in the road after 115km of cycling. It is only 4.5km long, but does have an average of 10%, peaking at 16%.

Afterwards there is loop back down to the coast, there are a couple of ramps on that last run in and the last 300m is also a little ramp to the line. But the Alto del Rat Penat will make a selection of those who will ride on for the line honours. As we saw yesterday, Stephen Roche is prepared to tried for bonus seconds and the second intermediate comes after the last climb and along with the seconds on the line there may be more chances for him to nibble away at Nibali's 31 second lead.

Vuelta a España Stage 12: Maella to Tarragona

Yesterday the individual time trial saw the expected change in the General Classification.

The battle for the stage win was of course between Tony Martin (OPQ) and Fabian Cancellara (RSL) in the end the Swiss rider beat Martin by 37 seconds, earning a key psychological blow ahead of the world championships later this month.

However, the key battle was going on some 90 seconds of so further back on time. Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) was the surprise best of the rest 1'24" behind Cancellara, but Vincenzo Nibali (AST) was just a second down on that. Dario Catlado (SKY) was next at 1'41" seven seconds faster that Nicolas Roche (TST) with Alejandro Valverde (MOV) a further four seconds slower.

However, the last man home in the red jersey Chris Horner (RSL) finished 2'54" behind his team mate in 20th position, but more importantly giving up 1'29" to Nibali, 1'06" to Roche and 1'02" to Valverde. It means that the top of the GC now looks like this:

1. Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) 41h 22'22"
2. Nicolas Roche (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) +33"
3. Alejando Valverde (Movistar) +46"
4. Chris Horner (Radioshack Leopard) +46"
5. Joaquin Rodriguez (Kathusha)  +2'33"
6. Domenico Pozzivivo (ALM) +2'44"
7. Ivan Basso (CAN) +2'55"
8. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) +3'35"
9. Rafal Majka (Team Saxo-Tinkoff) +3'46"
10. Daniel Moreno (Kathuha) +3'56"

Today's stage sees the riders return to the coast but this time with no ascent up a first category climb once they get there. The run from Maella to the historic Mediterranean port of Tarragona is largely downhill with only a solitary 3rd category climb on the road east.

The second of today's intermediate sprints will come at Port Aventura,. 15km from the finish, to give those who holiday there some idea of the location of the race.

It should be a sprinters' stage today after a pretty brisk pace so expect the top 10 to still be as listed above.

Vuelta a España Stage 11: Tarazona to Tarazona ITT

Remember when we said the other day that the oldest man ever has won a stage in any Grand Tour and as a result the oldest man to pull on a Grand Tour leader's jersey. Well the record didn't last long, but the holder won't be too upset about that.

There were a couple of Euskaltel Euskadi riders in the main group, probably relieved with the news earlier in the day that F1 driver Fernando Alonso was going to buy the racing licence for the team to ensure they would continue to operate next year.

Horner launching the attack

However, the field thinning out at 5 km to go the red jersey on Daniel Moreno's shoulders was dropped from a select group of 12. Shortly after Vincenzo Nibali tried to attack but and only Ivan Basso, Joaquim Rodriguez, Alejandro Valverde and Chris Horner went with him. Then at 4.5km from the end Chris Horner (RSL) went on the attack, with Nicolas Roche and Thibaut Pinot bridging the gap to the others, Roche kept losing contact when one of them attacked and getting back on.

Eventually at 2km to go Nibali launched an attack of his own just after Basso has put in an effort, there was nothing left from anyone else in that group and he was off in pursuit of Horner. However, the gap seemed to remain constant around 47 seconds for most of that pursuit. Thus is was that Horner crossed the line some 48 seconds ahead of Nibali. Some 14 seconds later Basso, Rodriguez, Valverde and Pinot crossed together with another 8 seconds before Roche crossed the line.

Therefore Horner has added 7 days to the record oldest man to win a Grand Tour stage and to pull on a Grand Tour leader's jersey one week after he had set the records. Nibali also goes ahead of Roche in the GC who held on well not losing too much time just like in his famous father's emergence from the mist behind Pedro Delgado on La Plagne in his famous 1987 Tour leg of the triple crown.

After the rest day yesterday La Vuelta returns with a individual time trial of 38.8km around the Aragon town of Tarazona. It is the only individual time trial of the 2013 Vuelta. It climbs about 600m over the first 18km to the high point at 1090m at the top of a 3rd category climb before descending all the way back to Tarazona. There do however, appear to be a number of technical turns on the descent and although it isn't all that steep. But there shouldn't be any threat with rain so it should just come down to pure power and how it is managed in the early stages as the riders are climbing.

Horner is not the best time trialist and in the last Grand Tour he faced second place Vincenzo Nibali, the 2012 Tour he lost 3'17" and 1'55" over a longer ITT. To Nicolas Roche it was 2'17 on the first one but gained 1'06" on the second but Roche was just riding around at that point in a sub par performance for him. Valverde and and Basso were much on a power with Horner in that same Tour de France so they shouldn't pose a threat unlike Nibali and Roche. We may well have another change in the race lead to one of the two men who have worn the jersey already with Horner possibly slipping down to 3rd.

Vuelta a España Stage 10: Torredelcampo to Güéjar Sierra. Alto Hazallanas

Yesterday started with a break of three including debutant Luke Rowe (SKY), Johnny Hoogerland ( Lloyd Mondory (ALM), Anthony Roux (FDJ) and the man who seems to be in a lot of escapes Javier Aramendia (CJR). However, within the last 30km they started to get captured by the peleton, Aramendia lasted teh longest only being caught with 25km to go, as the peleton were preparing for 2nd Category climb of the Alto de los Frailes.

But on the climb Robert Kiserlovski (RLT) tried a solo attack. But nearer the summit Edvald Boasson Hagen (SKY) went after him and zoomed past, Nicolas Edet (COF) tired to go after the Norwegian but didn't close the gap but was second over the summit. But Edat was caught soon after on the descent, on the descent Luis Leon Sanchez (BEL) made his own bid, but he too didn't stay away long.

Moreno launches his attack

Boasson Hagen was finally caught with 1.7km remaining but 1km of that was up the incredibly steep final ascent. At the km banner Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) and Rigoberto Uran (SKY) had been dropped by the lead group. But Daniel Moreno (KAT) , who lives nearby, went about 700m from the finish, Alejandro Valverde (MOV) tried to go with him but couldn't and the race leader Nicolas Roche (TST) looked dead in the water.

But Moreno struggled in the final 50m and lost some of his advantage, but he did cross the line first picking up the 10 second time bonus. Followed by Valverde and Joaquim Rodriguez completing a Spanish 1-2-3 Roche had started the day with a 17 second advantage on the local man, and was fighting to prevent the gap costing him his lead. However, coming in 4th some 8 seconds down meant he lost two of his jerseys the red by 1 second and although tied on points the all around as Moreno leads both the GC and Points.

Today sees the first Especial Category climb of La Vuelta 2013 as the race enters the Sierra Nevada range. It comes at the end after the race has negotiated the 1st Category Alto de Monachil which is 8.5km with an average gradient of 7.7%, with a maximum of 15% and gain of 665m.

However, it is the Alto de Hazallanas that is making its debut that will prove a test in what is already a tight head of the race.

It comes in two stages, the foothills are relatively gentle and then there is a section of descent before the final 7km that are the killer. There are two sections that the road reaches 18% and there are three other ramps of 15% or greater. So although the average over the 15.8km of the climb is only 5% that is an illusion that will become clear to the riders in that final section.

With only one second in the first two spots and the top five Vincenzo Nibali (AST), Alejandro Valverde and Chris Horner (RLT) all within 28 seconds you can expect there to be a shift in the top of the field once again as we head into the rest day on Tuesday.

Vuelta a España Stage 9: Antequera to Valdepeñas de Jaén

 Yesterday the break was formed of 14 riders from 14 squads but as they went up the final climb only three remained at the front Dario Cataldo (SKY), Valls Ferri Rafael (VSD) and Dominik Herz (BMC). But one of the men they had dropped Matthew Bunche (RSL) took over the pacing of the peleton from his team mate Fabian Cancellara about 8 km from the finish.

He kept closing the gap splintering some good names such as Bauke Mollema and Samuel Sanchez as he did so. Finally the last of the day's escape were captured with about 6km to go. Then Igor Anton (EUS) attacked, then at two km to go a counter attack was launched by Leopold Konig (NAE) and Thibaut Pinot (FDJ), eventually Ivan Basso tried to get across the gap.

Konig caught Anton and fought on for the line, Daniel Moreno (KAT) and Nicolas Roche (TST) were also closing in on Anton. Konig did claim the victory with Moreno behind, but in the race for 3rf to 5th the Polka Dots on Roche won securing a 4 second time bonus which he didn't even need as Chris Horner (RSL) was 18 seconds behind him and Vincenzo Nibali (AST) 22 relinquishing the red jersey. With Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff also going into the lead as best team it means that as well as climbing into the leader's jersey Roche has secured a lead in every category of this Vuelta. Indeed he still holds the Mountain and combined classification leads, only the points belongs to someone else (Moreno) today.

Today's stage looks innocuous there is only one second category climb on the route and that is 16km from the end of the stage. But there are plenty of bumps along the way that could sap energy from those who already struggled yesterday then there is a little kick at the end up through the narrow streets of the town of Valdepeñas de Jaén. At places the street that leads up to above the town can reach a gradient of 30%, getting past people might be a problem if you are in the wrong place should someone stall.

When La Vuelta was last here in 2010 Rigoberto Uran started to attack at the foot of the climb, but he was captured by the small group that remained, coming home 10th at 19 seconds, then Igor Anton launched what proved to the stage winning attack. Behind him Vincenzo Nibali lead the chase to come second, Joaquim Rodriquez was 4th and Nicolas Roche 8th. So four of the main favourites for this year's Vuelta are not strangers to the finish today.

Vuelta a España Stage 8: Jerez de la Frontera to Estepona. Alto Peñas Blancas

So after stage 6 when the sprinters being led out by a former world time trial champion only caught the world time trial champion in the final second of the stage, it was time for the sprinters stage to try and get it right.

There were three men in the breakaway Christian Knees (SKY), Marco Pinotti (BMC) and Javier Aramendia (CJR), they did cross the finish line first, but that was for the last intermediate sprint of the day before heading out on a 31.5km loop before they returned. They did get eventually caught with 17 km to go. Although Pinotto perhaps inspired by Tony Martin (OPQ) the day before hung on and dug deep to avoid capture for another 2km.

However, the run in to the finish was a technical one and there was a chance that a late breakaway could happen and maybe stay away. At 10km to go the rainbow jersey on the back of Philippe Gilbert (BMC) launched an attack, he was soon joined by Zdenek Stybar (OPQ) in the twists that led to the finish they were able to open up their lead hitting 1lm to go some 7 seconds clear of the peleton. However, with Gilbert on the front not wanting to lead out too soon the peleton was fast approaching, before Stybar launched an attack into the last corner and headed for the line, with a fast approaching Gilbert and faster approaching peleton on his back. In the end the Czech rider held on to deny the World Champion his first win in the jersey and there was still a 1 second gap to the peleton.

On loser was Daniel Martin (GRS) who fell some 13km out and tried to chase back but ended up 1'33" down. It may have put an end to any lingering GC hopes he may have had, but it could allow him to go for a stage win in the mountains without attracting too much attention.

Speaking of the mountains that is were we are heading back to.today. First we head to the Costa del Sol at Estepona about have way between Gibraltar and Marbella, but then it is the turn back inland from the beaches into the Bermeja Mountains that will be the crux of today's stage.

The climb of the Alto Peñas Blancas is the return after three relatively easier days to the tough mountain passes. Meaning that only those with climbing legs will feature in the finish. The climb is 14.5km long with an average gradient of 6.6%. Starting from 20m above sea level it will climb 960 more. But its steepest gradient is on the lower slopes some 12.5% just 2km in. Shortly after that ramp is does level out for a couple of kms before hitting 9% as it gets tough once more and stays over average gradient mostly until the line.

On our last mountain finish Movistar set the pace for Alejandro Valverde and I don't see them doing much different this time. Rigoberto Uran (SKY) may well find himself isolated again unless Sergio Henao can overcome the difficulties he had earlier, and Vincenzo Nibali (AST) has looked comfortable all race long so far, even though he has the red jersey on his shoulders for a long time already.

Vuelta a España Stage 7: Almendralejo to Mairena del Aljarafe

As I already summed up the events of yesterday in which Tony Martin lead for all but 20 metres of the parcours all on his own I don't have to do that.

So on with todays stage. It is a 205.9km run south, making it the second longest in this year's Vuelta. It is also incredibly flat, especially for the last 70km or so. Although there are a few, minor bumps on the course this should be a sprinters stage.

There is a finishing circuit meaning that the first time they cross the finishing line is actually for the second intermediate sprint of the day before going for a 31km loop around the finishing town to come in once again.

One man who will be wanting to get there first is Orica-GreenEDGE's Michael Matthews, in the sprint for the line yesterday he was the man who finished just in front of the man of the day Tony Martin coming 6th, but that was enough for him, after winning the day before and being third the day before that to wrest the Green Jersey off Daniel Moreno. His team were certainly one of those doing some of the work in trying to get Martin back yesterday in the finalé. Winning in the Green Jersey is always a sprinter's dream scenario. As this will be the sprinters' last chance before the mountains over the weekend expect them to be twitchy and there may even be a crash in the run in as a result.

Tony Martin and La Vuelta a España Stage 6

When someone like Tony Martin (OPQ) says he is coming into La Vuelta to prepare for the World Champion Individual Time Trial you don't expect them to set out at the start of a 175km road stage to ride away and keep away from the chasing peleton in a solo effort.

But with tomorrow being a rest day and the course though being largely downhill was undulating it obvious was what the two-time world time trial champion had in mind. Today in a supreme effort of solo riding the German went from the dropping of the flag to mark the end of the neutralised zone. Marco Pinotti had tried to grab his wheel but was unsuccessful. He managed to cover 46 km in the first hour of riding, this dropped to a mere 42 km in the second hour, but he covered 44km in the third hour. In three hours of riding solo he had maintained an average of 44km/h and still had a lead of 3 minutes, but it was starting to come down.

The sprinters' teams behind were starting to muster and most cycling fans would have really be hoping they wouldn't be closing the gap just as fast as they started to. His lead was down to just over 2 minutes as he passed 30km to go. The odd addage is that the chasing peleton can bring back one minute for each 10km of riding near the finish, so it wasn't looking good for anything other than the combative prize for the day. But somehow he seemed to defy that.

When the race hit the flame rouge with 1km to go he still had a lead of 11 seconds. It was a downhill drag to the finish from there, could he hang on for a remarkable win. Sadly his own time trailling Nemesis Fabian Cancellara (RLT) launched his own bid for victory which swept up the man who so nearly pulled off a remarkable day in the saddle, but Michael Morkov (TST) had his wheel and surged past Cancellara for the win and Maximiliano Richze (LAM) who just lost out to Michael Matthews yesterday secured third.

Tony Martin came across the line a few metres back in 7th place having led on his own for 3 hours 54 minutes and 14 seconds but not quite for the last one.

So close Martin just behind the first three

 

Vuelta a España 2013 Stage 6: Guijuelo to Cáceres

Yesterday we finally got some things that this Vuelta had been lacking. Stability in the race leadership and a bunch sprint.

Yeah finally the sprinters got their day and actually apart from Daniel Moreno and Fabian Cancellara spoiling things for him yesterday it was the man who lead the bunch home yesterday who proved the strongest. On the narrow, winding, wooded run in to the finish the World Champion Philippe Gilbert tried to pull away for his first win in the rainbow jersey, but he was pulled back in by the lead out trains.

In the end it was Michael Matthews of Orica-GreenEDGE at just 22 and in his first Grand Tour who sealed the win, ahead of Maximiliano Richze (LAM) and Gianni Meersman (OPQ).

With a breakaway picking up the points in the two category three climbs on the day Nicolas Roche (TST) kept both his jerseys and Vincenzo Nibali (AST) retains the overall lead.

Today from the start in Guijuelo La Vuelta is also going to head in largely the same mainly southerly direction all day another first for this race, as well as losing altitude as the day goes on. There are no categorised climbs until the big ones at the weekend.


The finish town of Cáceres is a world heritage site containing some twenty towers and defensive bastions, 41 palaces and fortified houses that provided refuge to noblemen. It is belnd of the Roman, Moorish, Gothic and Italian renaissance architecture.

But today the historic walled city will be invaded by cycling fans ahead of the arrival of the knights on their bicycles, following their lead out trains. They will storm the bastion of Cáceres to see who will be crowned victorious in the tournament today.

Vuelta a España 2013 Stage 5: Sober to Lago de Sanabria

So if the team who dreamed up this year's Vuelta wanted to see grown men, climb off and push their bikes uphill they achieved their goal yesterday with the climb of the Mirador de Ézaro some 34km from the finish. It is only 2km long but at one point it is actually a 29% gradient. Nicolas Roche crossed the summit only behind the two break away riders up the road keeping the mountains jersey in his collection for another day.

But one thing it didn't do, unlike last year when it featured as a stage finish, was to really produce a big shake out of the top riders. With 34km still to ride they didn't really attack the Mirador de Ézaro that hard, saving themselves for another 2km climb up to the end of the world.

So it came down to the final uncatecorised climb of the stage up Cape Finsterra (Cape Finisterre) with just over 1km to go Juan Antonio Flecha (VCD) who had featured in an earlier break, But after an initial surge he stalled as tempting bait for the peleton. It was Dani Moreno (KAT) who took a big bite on that hook and hauled in Flecha and zoomed past him with about 600m to go and unlike the Argentine born Spaniard he kept increasing his gap. But the peleton started to try and respond and Fabian Cancellera (RLT) who responded strongest, although he was closing at the finish the gap that Moreno had opened up he'd left too much to do.

Moreno who was nursing Roche's mountain jersey for the day, took his green points one off him by securing the maximum points. While in the peleton a smaller gap than one that was ignored yesterday was deemed to exist after the 21st rider. Giving those from 22nd on a gap of 6 seconds. Shouldn't have mattered much except for the fact that Vincenzo Nibali (AST) who rolled in for 16th was 10 places in front of the red jersey on the shoulders of Chris Horner (RLT) on the other side of that gap. Horner had only taken the jersey from the previous wearer by a mere three seconds. So it was changing wearing once again.

Today La Vuelta bids farewell to Galicia which has certainly provided an entertaining and exciting opening four days and heads to the Province of Zamora.

The stage has two categorised climbs on it among the various bumps that it will traverse. The last of these comes 31.1km from the finish and is only a gradient of 2.6% unlike the climb at a similar stage yesterday, so it shouldn't hamper the men with speed in their legs. For the first time we should be seeing a full throttle sprinters finish.

Lago de Sanabria where the race finishes today measures 368 hectres in area, making it one of the largest lakes in Spain. But it is the largest glacial lake in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula. It is also one of the few areas in western Europe that wild wolves roam.

Vuelta a España 2013 Stage 4: Lalín to Finisterra

Ernest Hemmingway wrote the novel The Old Man and the Sea and in this edition of La Vuelta the sea air that the riders have been getting over these first few days seems to be fine with the old man of the peleton. Chris Horner is hoping to become the oldest man to finish La Vuelta when the race reaches Madrid. But why should the Radioshack-Leopard settle for just a record that relies on him getting around.

The Italian Champion Santoramita BMC launched an attack with 4km to go on the final climb to Mirador de Lobeira, it looked like the peleton had gone asleep. At 1.5km the counter attack came in the shape of Herada MOV and Stortoni LAM were the first to put in an effort to repond. But in the final km Horner went after Santoramita. He caught him rapidly with 600m to go and managed to stay away from the chasers with a gap of 3 seconds from Alejandro Valverde (MOV) and Joaquin Rodriquez. The American's time bonuses meant that at 41 years and 307 days he pulls on his first leader's jersey in a Grand Tour, the oldest winner of a stage in any of the Grand Tours.

There had been worries that the race would break into echelons when it hit the coast road or the bridge across to Illa de Arousa. But a crash in the peloton even before they hit that stretch of road leading to the bridge meant that there were groups all over the road chasing back before they thought they might have to. Domineco Pozzovivo was one of those caught out having been third yesterday, but with the help of some AG2R team mates he got back on.

Behind Horner on the line once again their big splits in the group. But two Irishmen, both yesterday's winner Nicolas Roche (TST) in 9th and his cousin Dan Martin (GRS) in 5th made the top group. Bauke Mollema (BEL) suffered a puncture in the final 15km and four of his team mates paced him back up and he actually managed to finish 6th. Rigoberto Uran was also in the group at 3 seconds but the first gap saw his Sky team mate Sergio Henao lose another 10 seconds, rolling in 14th.

Finisterre lighthouse: the stage finish is nearby on the cape

After yesterday's stage today we head to the end of the earth, which is the literal translation for Finisterre where La Vuelta is heading. Like Vigo it is somewhere I have actually been and the stage during its 189km will pss through the Galician capital Santiago de Compostela on its way. The city is still reeling from the tragic train crash that happened on the edge of town only a few weeks ago.

The profile is like most of this part of Galicia lumpy but there isn't really a lot to trouble most of the riders until we take a little excursion inland after the second and final intermediate sprint of the day.

After going through the village of O Ezaro there is a very steep ramp up over 2.4km climing from 15m to 270m. Which is a short sharp average of 10.5% for a category three climb. Afterwards there is still 34km to the finish, but it is possible that some sprinters may be dropped here and have to fight to get back on the peleton. Which as we soon head back towards the coast would need to be done before any head winds off the Atlantic may hinder progress.

There is a little kick at the end, but nothing like yesterday's as the peleton will climb out of the town of Finisterre up unto the Cape. But if the wind is up the sprinters will have to time it perfectly to not expend too much energy before launching their bid for victory.

Vuelta a España 2013 Stage 3: Vigo to Mirador de Lobeira

Yesterday La Vuelta got off to a rather violent start with the climb of taking the last 11 km and proving a real test that found some of the GC contenders lacking. But there was a breakaway that went from the off which started with Greg Henderson (OGE) going about 10m before 0km. He was joined by Alex Rasmussen (GAR) and Francisco Aramendia of Caja Royal (CJR) and the three were to stay away until the final climb.

Movistar took up the pace for the peleton at the start of the climb and set a tempo that nobody looked capable of challenging. That was until Amets Txurruka (CJR) formerly of Euskaltel-Euskadi put in a little bit of a dig, but José Herada (MOV) just kept his pace at the front of the group and brought it all back together.

Sammy Sanchez (EUS) was the first of the big GC contenders to be dropped out of the back. Sky's Sergio Henao was another who suffered with more than 4km to go.

With 1.5km to go Leopold Konig of NetApp-Endura (TNE) went on the attack. With this attack, Janez Brajkovič (AST) who had been holding on to the tail of the peleton finally popped out the back. He eventually ended 51 seconds behind the stage winner, dropping to 16th overall.

Daniel Moreno (KAT) and Nico Roche (TST) launched the counter attack followed by Dominco Pozzavivo (AGM) and caught Konig at the Flame Rouge. Then in the climb towards the finish Roche made a bid for the line and nobody was able to keep up with him. It completes the father-son set of Grand Tour stage wins as his father Stephen never managed to three in the Tour de France and two in the Giro d'Italia, but had only taken part in one Vuelta towards the end of his career. Moreno was second and Pozzavivo third.

Stephen Roche in combination jersey

Alejandro Valverde (MOV) it was who lead the peleton across the line, though there were gaps and only Diego Ulisso (LAM) and Jaoquin Rodriguez (KAT) finished on the same time, 2 seconds ahead of a group of 16 lead by Ivan Basso (CAN), Bauke Mollema (BEL) and Rigoberto Uran (SKY), Giro Champion Vincenzo Nibali (AST) and the stage winner's cousin Dan Martin (GRS) were also in that group. Laurens Ten Dam (BEL) was in a quartet at 21 seconds and Michele Scarponi (LAM) at 27 seconds.

Nibali's performance was good enough to lift him into the red jersey after his team mate Brajkovič, 8 seconds ahead of Roche. Roche possesses the Green Point Jersey, Blue Mountain Jersey (being worn by Daniel Moreno) and like his father had worn in Tour the all around White Jersey (worn today by Alejandro Valverde).

Henao finished 2'41" back, so it looks like Uran sitting 5th overall is now the de facto team leader of Sky. Samuel Sanchez finished in the same time paced by three team mates leaving just Mikel Nieve up with the leaders in the Basque team's farewell to Grand Tours.

Today's stage starts in Vigo which La Vuelta passed through yesterday, but instead of heading straight to Pontevedra (yesterday's start town) after crossing the bridge over the Estreito de Rande takes a detour round most of the headland before returning to yesterday's start town. From where it continues to hug the coast the whole way around the next headland before heading inland, though not going up anything steep this time.

The loop inland comes across the first intermediate sprint at A Escusa (Ribadumia) before circling around the finish town before returning to the coast at the town of Vilagarcia de Arousa, where once again the riders will hug the coast until they take a turn out to sea, and visit the island of Ria de Arosa, where the second intermediate sprint takes place. They take another shorter loop before heading for home and the only real ramp of the day comes at the line.

There is a 3rd category climb over the last 4km kicking up at the end of 184.8km of racing. It should not be enough of a kick to dislodge all the sprinters but some might suffer because of the efforts of today. But it should produce a bunch sprint even if not quite a straight forward as they may expect.

La Vuelta a España 2013 Stage 2: Pontevedra to Alto do Monte da Groba, Baiona

Astana took the honours in the Team Time Trial yesterday and Janez Brajkovič will be wearing the red jersey as race leader as the first road stage of La Vuelta gets underway. Radioshack came in second ahead of Omega Pharma-QuickStep and Sky. The first team off the ramp (or actually a glass floor on pontoons in the harbour) NetApp-Endura came in 7th only 35 seconds down.

After yesterday's Team Time Trial today's stage starts gently enough almost mugging the coast of Galicia almost until you reach Baiona. Indeed the riders will see the town that is in the name of the finish of today's stage from across the bay near Nigrán before they turn left and head inland.

Indeed when they turn inland at Ramallosa there are still a cruel 130km to go to the finish of today's stage. First thing the peleton has to deal with is the first categorised climb of La Vuelta 2013, it is a mere 3rd category ascent of the Alto de San Cosme.

After this the route returns to a relatively flat profile as it circles around back to Baiona. However, not before taking in two sprints one at Ponteareas the other at A Guarda.

After A Guarda the race heads back toward Baiona in earnest this time from the West along the coast after over 50km of potential cross winds off the Atlantic.

However, the coastal town of Baiona is not the final destination of this stage, as the race once more head inland for the giant that is the Alto Do Monte Da Groba. There are 11km to go and it is all uphill. It may only be 630m in height but when you are starting more or less at sea level with a gradient averaging 5.6% it is a tough first day of road racing for anyone.

There are a number of sharp kicks on this climb, the first is 8.33% in the opening reaches of the climb so expect the favourites to be racing for the front on the way into Baiona so that they are not caught out. The about 3.5km into the climb is the maximum gradient of 10%. There then follow a few kms of relative calm in the scheme of this plod to the finish even a false flat with 3 km to go. But then it ramps up once again and the final 1.5km is at more than 7.5%.