- HOT TOPICS:
- An American start for the Giro? •
- 2010 Routes: Giro | California | TdF •
- LA doc guilty on all counts
Petacchi gets No. 3; Postal takes advantage of the wind
They’re called abanicos in Spanish – echelons to the rest of the cycling world – and U.S. Postal Service played the peloton like a fiddle in the brisk cross-winds of Thursday’s 168.8km 12th stage of the Vuelta a España.
With 50km to go, Postal Service massed at the front as the peloton roared across the bleak, treeless plains of Castilla-La Mancha. Strong winds were cracking from the left and the Posties' blistering pace quickly blew the peloton into three groups.
Caught out of position were Fassa Bortolo’s Dario Frigo, who started the day fourth at 3:05 back, and defending champion Aitor Gonzalez, who started eighth at 4:00 back.
By the time Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) nipped Erik Zabel (Telekom) to take his third stage victory of this year’s Vuelta, Frigo and Gonzalez limped across the line 1:09 slower, and the pair fell to seventh and ninth, respectively. Alejandro Valverde (Kelme) was also caught off-guard and fell to eighth at 5:06 back.
Postal’s aggression injected new life to Manuel Beltran (3rd at 3:03) and Roberto Heras (4th at 3:28) in their quest for the final podium as the Vuelta heads into Friday’s decisive time trial.
Pain on the plains of Spain
Cross-winds are always a factor in the barren flats around Albacete. One of the most memorable splits in recent Vueltas was in 1996 when Tony Rominger lost more than 10 minutes, yet still managed to finish third for his last major tour podium.
It wasn’t quite that bad for Frigo or Gonzalez, but their losses certainly make things more complicated for the Fassa boys going into Friday’s 53.3km time trial.
“We knew it would be nervous today and it was very aggressive riding. There was a hole in a narrow stretch and I got caught back in a bad position. The group split and I just couldn’t get back into good position,” said Gonzalez, whose chances for a repeat look slim at best. “This makes things more difficult for the GC now.”
There were no overnight abandons and all 168 remaining riders finished the stage. Four riders – Martin Perdiguero (Domina), Pedro Lobato (Paternina), Paolo Barroso (Milaneza) and Constantino Zaballa (Kelme) – nudged away early and built up nearly a six minute lead with 100km to go.
The peloton gobbled up the break just as Michael Sandstod (CSC) and Jose Martinez (Paternina) jumped with about 55km to go. But U.S. Postal already had the gas pedal buried.
Postal played the card to perfection, with Matthew White, Jose Luis Rubiera, George Hincapie, Benoit Joachim, Floyd Landis and Michael Barry taking turns driving hard at the front. The fight was on to stay in the front group and ONCE – with four riders – was well-positioned to help drive the wedge.
Sure enough, with 45km to go the group was cut with strong winds cutting from the left and two groups formed at a 30-second gap. Further accelerations disintegrated the peloton into three groups.
“I can’t believe those Fassa guys were ambushed like that,” said Team CSC’s sport director Johnny Weltz. “Everyone knew today would be windy. Everyone knew what was going to happen. There was nothing surprising about today.”
Sprinters Zabel, Petacchi and Giovanni Lombardi (Domina Vacanze) were among those who made it into the front group reduced to 27 riders.
“These stages are always dangerous and it’s always better to be up front driving than behind losing time,” said U.S. Postal’s sport director Johan Bruyneel. “When the roads get narrow and the wind is coming from the side, that’s the time to make the accelerations.”
With about 30km to go, the course plowed into headwinds going into Albacete and there was nothing left to do for anyone caught out of the front group.
ONCE in driver’s seat
ONCE was more than happy to collaborate with Postal’s impressive teamwork. Gaining time on Frigo and Gonzalez – both strong time trialists – helps the team’s chances going into Friday’s race against the clock.
Nozal and Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano will be looking to widen their nice cushion on U.S. Postal’s Beltran and Heras.
“The entire team was cautious and we did what was expected. It was a very good day for ONCE,” said Nozal, who retained his 1:48 lead over teammate Galdeano. “Everything is going well. If we stay lucky all the way to Madrid, maybe we can win the Vuelta. Let’s see if we can get more time tomorrow. We want more time on Heras before the mountains.”
Postal drove hard all the way to the final kilometer, when Unai Etxebarria (Euskaltel) made a stab at the stage-win. He was caught as Petacchi and Zabel shot toward the line. The big Italian nipped his German rival by inches while American Fred Rodriguez (Caldirola) came through to claim third.
“In the final, I knew Zabel was on my wheel and I made a long sprint because I didn’t want him coming around me,” said Petacchi, who added a third Vuelta win to go with his six Giro d’Italia and four Tour de France stage victories. “It’s too bad for my teammates. I hope they can make up some time in the time trial tomorrow.”
Forecast for Friday: sunny … and windy.
To see how today's stage unfolded, bring up our Live Update Window.
