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Home » Top Stories » Road » La Vuelta a España

McCartney snags Vuelta stage win, Menchov protects overall lead

Published: Sep. 15, 2007
McCartney gets a nice addition to his resume, right when he needs it.
McCartney gets a nice addition to his resume, right when he needs it.
Photo: Graham Watson

Iowan Jason McCartney (Discovery) attacked out a breakaway group of 11 to win the 14th stage of the 2007 Vuelta a España, a hilly 207-kilometer ride Puerto Lumbreras to Villacarrillo, on Saturday.

McCartney attacked several times on the day's fourth and final Category 3 climb, the Alto Santiago Pontones and finally managed to fend off a strong group of breakaway companions with 10km remaining in the day's stage. McCartney finished 28 seconds ahead of a hard-chasing Thomas Lövkvist (Française Des Jeux)and 50 seconds ahead of most of the rest of the break.The peloton finished well back, with overall race leader Denis Menchov finishing with the main field.

None of the men in the break posed a significant threat on the overall standings and the Russian from Rabobank maintains a comfortable lead of 2:01 over compatriot Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) and 2:27 over Australian Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto). Menchov and other top contenders seemed content to let the break go, perhaps in anticipation of Sunday’s tough ride to Granada.

Menchov didn't seem too worried about the day's break
Menchov didn't seem too worried about the day's break
Photo: Graham Watson

“For Americans racing in Europe, it’s very important to have these good moments,” a joyous McCartney said of his win. “I haven’t seen my family for two months and it’s hard to be so long away from home.”

The win comes just as McCartney’s career faces a turning point, so the timing couldn’t have been better as far as he was concerned.

“I’m still looking for a new team in 2008.” McCartney said, “so I hope this win will help. I don’t want to stop riding a bike. Cycling is my big passion. I even use it to ride to the grocery store.”

McCartney was part of an early 16-man escape group that formed just 10 kilometers into Saturday’s stage. That effort, however, failed to gain traction, perhaps in part due to the presence of McCartney’s teammate Jurgen van Goolen, who began the day in 19th place on GC, just 12:38 out of first.

The peloton kept that group within a minute and, by 80 kilometers the group appeared to have been caught, but the bulk of the break maintained a slight advantage as Van Goolen, David López (Caisse d'Epargne), Hubert Dupont (Ag2r) and Jose Ángel Gómez Marchante (Saunier Duval) slipped back into the fold.

For the men in the peloton, Saturday offered a welcome rest before Sunday's ride to Granada.
For the men in the peloton, Saturday offered a welcome rest before Sunday's ride to Granada.
Photo: Graham Watson

Remaining were McCartney, Christian Vande Velde (CSC), Thomas Lövkvist (Française Des Jeux), Juan Manuel Garate (Quick Step), David García (Caisse d'Epargne), Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner), Philip Deignan (Ag2r Prevoyance), Haimar Zubeldia (Euskaltel), Xabier Zandio (Caisse d'Epargne), Jose Vicente García Acosta (Caisse d'Epargne) and Alessandro Vanotti (Liquigas).

The combination turned out to satisfy the peloton and the 11 escapees quickly built up a lead of 5:00 minutes by the time they reached the summit of the Cat. 3 Puerto del Pinar at 96 kilometers. Two weeks into the Vuelta, and facing a hilly stage, with a tough stage on deck for Sunday, and the main field seemed content to leave “chasing” duties to Menchov’s Rabobank squad.

By the day’s third climb, the Cat. 3 Alto Santiago Pontones, the group had extended its lead to 7:08. Over the course of a long descent, the gap stayed the same and by the base of the day’s final climb, the Cat. 3 Alto Santiago Pontones, it was clear that the day’s winner would emerge from the break. Vande Velde was the first to attack, just a kilometer into the climb. He was quickly reeled in and McCartney launched his own effort, just as the CSC man was back.

Schumacher reacted quickly to the American’s attack and, again, the 11-man group re-formed, with only Zubeldia showing signs of weakness as the summit approached.

... but McCartney timed his move just right.
... but McCartney timed his move just right.
Photo: Graham Watson

Near the top, Ag2r’s Philip Deigan launched a blistering attack and, for a moment, it appeared to stick. Garate fought back, however, then caught and passed the young Irishman and was soon joined by Acosta.

But despite cresting the summit first, the duo had only a small advantage and McCartney sat patiently in the chase group as they pulled back the two escapees. Just as contact was made, McCartney launched his own move, and the American soon had a 30-second gap.

“It’s a super important win for me.” McCartney said. “I’m no sprinter, more a time trialist, so I knew I had to attack before the finish, just after they pulled Garcia Acosta back, if I wanted a chance of winning.”

The move appeared to have caught the group by surprise and only Lövkvist tried his hand at a pursuit. Behind, perhaps wary of Schumacher’s abilities on an uphill finish, the rest of the group waited for someone to chase. It never happened and the cooperative mood that had ruled the day for the break evaporated and the American soon had a 25-second lead on Lövkvist and another 15 on the other nine.

McCartney would occasionally glance back, but he never slowed, holding a 28-second advantage over Lövkvist all the way to the finish.


Photo: Graham Watson

Race NoteOn a sour note for home fans, Relax rider Jesus Hernandez suffered a suspected broken collarbone following a crash at 100km.

Results - Stage 14
1. Jason McCartney (USA), Discovery Channel Team, 5:21:21
2. Thomas Lövkvist (Swe), Francaise Des Jeux, at 0:27
3. Stefan Schumacher (G), Gerolsteiner, at 0:50
4. Juan Manuel Garate (Sp), Quick Step-Innergetic, at 0:50
5. Alessandro Vanotti (I), Liquigas, at 0:50
6. David García (Sp), Karpin Galicia, at 0:50
7. Xabier Zandio (Sp), Caisse d'Epargne, at 0:50
8. Christian Vande Velde (USA), CSC, at 0:50
9. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, at 0:50
10. Philip Deignan (IRL), Ag2r Prevoyance, at 0:50
Overall
1. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 57:45:47
2. Vladimir Efimkin (Rus), Caisse d'Epargne, 2:01
3. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, 2:27
4. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 3:02
5. Ezequiel Mosquera (Sp), Karpin Galicia, 4:35
6. Samuel SÁnchez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4:42
7. Vladimir Karpets (Rus), Caisse d'Epargne, 5:49
8. Manuel BeltrÁn (Sp), Liquigas, 5:56
9. Stijn Devolder (B), Discovery Channel Team, 6:28
10. Carlos Barredo (Sp), Quick Step-Innergetic, 6:39
To see how today's stage developed, simply CLICKHERE to open our Live Update Window.

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