Bennati finishes what he started

And so the discraded Italian took final honours in the final Grand Tour of the year, putting doubt in the minds of Ballerini et al for leaving him out of the Italian squad for October. He also pushed Menchov out of the top of the points classification leaving the Russian with only 3 of the individual honours after the 3 weeks (poor showing really).

The end of a tour and end of a season for many riders and didn't it show, frivolity was had by all on the last stage unseen for many years; from motorbike helmets to happy families, today showed that these guys really love what they do.

For the final time this year - that's why I love La Vuelta!

Last gasp in Vuelta

The last "real" road stage of this years Vuelta saw the big men flex their muscle for the last time up the large mountains in Spain. Menchov and Sastre danced one more time before the final TT which will decide the podium on Sunday. Menchov looks to have this one sewn up (bar any Rabobank TT mishap), and based on Satre's TT expertise, this is Evan's big shot at taking back the number spot overall.
Also we have a race to the points classification with with only 3 separating Bennati and Menchov (who has the mountain class in his back pocket) - could the orange-clad Russian walk away with all 3??

Stage 16

Little known Colombian Leonardo Duque won the sprint finish in Puertollano, putting to rest the general consensus that Columbians can't just climb. And Leonardo's explanation of this? “I knew coming into the sprint I had a great chance to win because thanks to God I'm very fast."

In other Vuelta news, we have a new dummy spitter in the peleton. Meet Carlos Sastre, firstly he whinged about Menchov getting help from another teams rider, now it's the lack of difficulty in the climbs. Apparently he can't make up time he lost in the time trials cause the mountains aren't vertical or long enough. Hey Carlos, how about you improve your TT skills? that may just help your cause.

Storm Kliers in Torre-Pacheco

Rain, hail and wet wet wet (no not the band, the weather) were the big talk of today where Andreas Klier won his first race since 2003. Boonen has left due to injury and Rebellin has gone to train for the Worlds. Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse D'Epargne), was very impressed with the rain because the riders didn't have to be sorry for any crash. Brilliant.

Italian invades Poland

In a display of luck remeniscent of Steve Bradbury, Danilo Napolitano has 'taken down' the field in Poland, winning stage four in style. Mafia style. Looks like members of the family were on hand to dispatch pretty well the entire competition in order to give 'our Danilo' a shot at the stage.
Media speculation has it that Danilo has simply 'let go' in the final hundred metres and the physics of gas dispersion did the rest, but judging by the facial hair and Italian name I think we know better. After all, what are these people doing now that Sopranos is off the air?

The new blue train

It seems we have a new blue train pulling the peleton and controlling things - Milram seems to have clicked into gear with Petacchi winning his 2nd stage in as many days. First Freire now Petacchi, and with Valverde all but gone the Worlds are really starting to open up with the big names coming into some form.

Al-Jet cleared for landing in Algemesí

In what was probably the first time in a Pro Tour event (that I can remember at least), Milram lived up to their "star" status with good teamwork and their 2 top sprinters finishing in the top 3 - the Petacchi and Zabel show has finally paid off!

The other news today was the wildcar team show - once again Relax-GAM and Andalucia-Cayasur broke free at kilometre eight to form an all-day escape that yielded team publicity yet again. But you gotta love them, they actually were disappointed they were caught - after leading for 176 km.

Valverde training for worlds

Never one to take orders lightly, Valverde has started his world championships build-up - seen here just outside of jail. Needing to race with his lawyer present, he has taken to the tandem but still hopes to take out the likes of the Cat (Friere) and the cricket (Bettini) come race day.
"Sure, it's a little heavy, but my doctor has me on some special vitamins which help with the weight" the spanish rider said, passing us at 75km/h uphill.
And the trailer on the back? Ever known a lawer to travel without case notes handy?

Sour Pyrenees leaves a bad taste in the mouth

Menchov takes the win and holds the Oro by 2 minutes. CSC came out with the intent to blow the race apart but failed - gotta love Bjarne's men for the guts to go for it.

Speaking after the stage - Sastre said "it's 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."

After Menchov "let" Piepoli win yesterday's stage the accusations came out with EL PAIS highlighting that Piepoli and Menchov raced together from 2001 to 2003. Let's hope the rest day calms everybody down and the bad smell and taste subsides.

Rocky Menchov High

The Pyrenees are such a beautiful part of the world - so glad I'm not the one in the saddle so I can actually take it all in and marvel at the scenery. Menchov made his move today as did the surprising Efimkin, however Oscar withdrew today due to his illness and Brad McGee also pulled out (yes he was riding the Vuelta, just way down the back).

General public will say the July is the only time to watch the cycling but for me this is the best - Spain, Poland and Britain, 3 top tours, 2 Pro Tour events all on at the same time makes this part of the year the best - I just don't know where to look first!

Jersey madness

Andalucia - Cayasur and T-Mobile Team must have the same jersey designer, or is magenta the new black? Can you tell the difference as the peleton whizzes past?
The only way I can identify them is that the Conti team is up front in breakaways and T-Mobile hasn't been seen yet - Grabsch wore the German colours as the German ITT champ.

Maybe we need an "away" strip in cycling?

Disco Devolder in Oro

This may be the last time we see the Discovery brand in a golden fleece of any kind. Stijn Devolder has taken the lead after the first ITT of the Tour. Grabsch smashed all comers including the highly fancied Evans (just didn't fire today), Pereiro (has the flu and may be withdrawing from the race) and Sastre (just not a great TT rider). Tomorrow we head into the Pyrenees where the GC is likely to be shook up. Enjoy the sight of Disco in yellow - it just may be the last...

Spaniards know their place

La Vuelta is the biggest race of the Spanish season and the third Grand Tour of the year, and is a chance for the Spanish locals to shine. Like Barloworld in July the expectation of the wild card teams is very high. Realistically they won't come away with the Maillot Oro but they can get maximum exposure and TV air time with risky moves and break aways to showcase their talent and jerseys to the nation and cycling world.

Take Relax-GAM and Andalucia-Cayasur, they've been in the breakaways nearly every day this week, pushing the boundaries and giving their sponsors more in 1 hour than any slick marketing executive could deliver in a year. Whether it's a Grand Tour or a 1.1 graded race, it's great to see these relative minnows rolling with the big boys and showing their wares.
It's the stuff of dreams being played out on the world stage.

Old hand Zabel teaches youngster a lesson

This is not how to win a stage in a Grand Tour. Alan Davis' premature celebration BEFORE the line saw Zabel come through on his left and take the stage.
What was he thinking? did he have flashes of Steve Bradbury?

As for that man Freire - he purposely put himself on the back of the pack saying he'd rather lose time than take a risk - after the crash that occurred it may have been the smartest move all day.

Freire fires again

This is turning out like Pettachi atGiro all those years back. Feiere does it again winning 3 from 6 in this years Vuelta. Will this hot streak continue to the Worlds where he could pick up his 4th title? It's a real possibility now and will have to lead the Spaniards in Germany.

By the looks of it his competitors are getting sick of seeing his back wheel at the end of the day.

Freire for 2

Hang on just a sec.

Grand Tour, 2nd mountain stage in the first week, and Oscar gets the win in a bunch sprint? Wouldn't see that in July would you? That why (once again) La Vuelta rocks. Just when you thought you knew what would happen - BAM! - you're sorely mistaken.

In other Vuelta news, Alvaro Pino related that his favourite to win the Vuelta is none other than Cadel Evans: “I always thought from the start that the favourites were Sastre, Pereiro and Menchov, but Evans was the unknown X factor for everyone." he said.

Let's hope Evans doesn't end up like the other Aussie X-Factor that was all hype and turned out to be just another crap TV show...

Dropping like flies

Are there any companies out there willing to sponsor a Pro Tour team? with the recent announcement that Gerolsteiner will not renew it's contract past 2008 the cycling world is facing a mass walk out by it's financial backers.

Fondital has split and left Lampre holding the baby, Gianluigi Stanga has broken up with German sponsor Milram, Unibet.com - gone, and we all know about Discovery Channel.

I personally can't wait for Kennards Hire pro cycling team to roll onto the Champs-Élysées.

Viva Los Lagos

This is why we love the Vuelta - stage 4 and we go vertical. 11, 14 & 15% gradients really tested the riders on day 4 enough so that the Spanish papers were already writing off their heros with one healdine reading “Freire in Los Lagos – mission impossible”.

Little known Efimkin won the race with all eyes also on Menchov, Sastre and Evans - today and tomorrow may not decide the Vuelta but it will surely shake it up and confirm who can't have the maillot oro.

Stage 3

Today we saw fierce racing with 2 world champs at each other. Bettini took the line and later clarified for the press regarding his "tussle" with Freire, "I explained to him that I maintained a straight line in the sprint and I didn’t see him. There’s no way anyone can say I cut him off. It’s no big deal..."

Well someone should tell Bettini that when you win your first race in 6 months, you should cracka smile!? and the one thing i love about the Vuelta? those crazy hats - and doesn't Oscar love it - just waiting for the yellow fish top to come out......

Freire fires on Day 2

Usual suspects I called them yesterday and they were so today. Freire, Bettini, Zabel, Rebellin. Only Pettachi and Boonen were missing in the line-up - obviously caught up in the crash that occurred not far from the line.

It's also good to see the wildcard teams not sitting pretty in the peleton. Martinez (Relax Gam) and Cesar (Karpin Galicia) both attacked early - were reeled in quite easily but they got the TV exposure their sponsors would be hoping for. Don't be surprised if we see a repeat of Barloworld in July with some of these Conti teams.

Bennati bookends

Just as the last stage in France, so too the first in Spain - Bennati stormed past the usual suspects of Freire, Petacchi and Boonen all of who would be looking for stage wins before "doing a hammy" and pulling out of the Vuelta to focus on the World Champs.
Danielson and Cunego tussled together with Cunego looking better off and not ending up in hospital. Danielson's season over.

And if you think the fans don't some out and support their race or the riders take early days easy think again - have a look at the obstacles on the road in Spain during Stage 1.