This transition stage between Granada and Cordoba was seen as
a possible sprinters' platform in which Zabel & Petacchi
could continue their duel, or more likely, as an outsiders'
stage that could be taken by any number of riders. One contender
mentioned was Valverde, who is highly motivated in this tour
and strong in all the disciplines, and has been in extremely
good form. The major part of this course is quite flat, but
the racers must pass the 6km long Alto de San Jeronimo, a 2nd
category ascent that begins 18km from the finish line. Thus,
the eventual winner of the stage needs to be a good climber
as well as a capable sprinter.
The
peloton set out at a brisk pace, averaging 47 km/h during the
first hour. Escapees were strictly monitered in this course,
and none were allowed to get more than a minute in front.
Having
passed the city of Espejo, with just 7km remaining before the
day's big climb, the last group of 4 escapees was safely brought
back in.
In
the early moments of the ascent of the Alto de San Jeronimo,
Team Telecom controlled the peloton; on one managed to get far
out front.
Then,
as Frigo & Petacchi were struggling and being distanced
at the back of the peloton, David Millar launched a precision
attack, quickly putting him a few dozen meters out in front.
Mercado
responded, followed by Martinez; they rejoined Millar out in
front to lead the peloton by several seconds.
As
Sevilla attacked from the peleton, followed in turn by U. Osa
& Rasmussen, Millar turned on the heat and quickly detatched
himself from Mercado & Martinez.
The
pattern, at 3km from the summit was set:
Millar
was in front, followed by a pursuit group, followed by the peloton,
which itself was becoming spread out.
Millar
had, at this point, a 12" lead on the group and a 36"
lead on the peloton. Although obviously tiring, Millar held
his form in the ascent and in fact continued to widen the gap
on all of his pursuers.
On
the descent, with 12km to go, Millar shifted into his big bracket
and rode like a man possessed, using his finely honed time trial
skills to cut the corners to the limit, and accelerating in
the straightaways with a machine-like regularity.
As
he negociated the wide avenues of Cordoba, Millar was clocking
64 km/h, and contiued to put more distance between himself and
his pursuers.
He
crossed the finish line with a margin of 36" on the pursuit
group and of 41" on the peloton, for his first victory
on the line this season. This no doubt makes up for his two
2nd place time trial finishes in this year's Vuelta, but also
confirms Millar as a force to be reckoned with outside of his
chosen speciality.
Le
classement de l'étape
1 - David Millar
2 - A Martinez à 36"
3 - Sevilla à 36"
4 - Unai Osa à 36"
5 - Rasmussen à 36"
6 - Zabel
7 - Rodriguez fred
8 - Edo
9 - Boonen
10 - Lombardi
Petacchi a été laché avec frigo dans le
dernier Alto, l'Alto de Geronimo. La fassa Bortolo avait annoncé
que Petacchi ne disputerait pas le sprint
Le classement
général
1 - NOZAL
2 - GLEZ de GALDEANO à 3'03"
3 - HERAS à 3'09"
4 - BELTRAN à 5'16"
5 - VALVERDE à 5'20"
6 - MANCEBO à 6'27"
7 - RASMUSSEN 7'29"
8 - PEREZ 8'51"
9 - OSA
10 - CARDENAS
Le classement
par points
1- ZABEL 145
2 - PETACCHI 130
3 - VALVERDE 125
4 - CARDENAS 97
5 - NOZAL 92
Le classement
des grimpeurs
1 - CARDENAS 194
2 - OSA unai 112
3 - HORRACH 101
4 - VALVERDE 88
5 - PEREZ 72
Le classement
du combiné
1 - VALVERDE
2 - CARDENAS
3 - RASMUSSEN
le classement
par équipes
1 - ONCE
2 - IBANESTO
3 - KELME
Le
groupe a perdu quelques éléments.
5
coureurs sont restés à l'avant, ils seront rejoints.
David
Millar, souffre dans les deux derniers km de l'Alto mais insiste
avec une cadence de pédalage rapide et un braquet réduit.
Il reprend encore du temps à ses poursuivants
Millar étonnant de panache, n'a pas concédé
de temps à ses poursuivants mais leur en a repris.
