See Also - Simon Clarke's Riders Diary of the 2014 Vuelta a España
Stage 17 - 190.7km, Ortigueira - A Coruña
After several consecutive mountain stages and a rest day, stage 17 saw a tough, constantly undulating route. The parcours was selective enough to whittle down the peloton but not quite hard enough to get rid of the sprinters who are in top climbing form. This was a stage that Orica Greenedge had their eye on, as it was well suited to their sprinter Michael Matthews. Both the Greenedge and Giant Shimano teams worked to bring back the day-long breakaway, which was only brought back within the final kilometre, just as the sprint was starting. Giant Shimano’s John Degenkolb showed his strength yet again, taking his fourth stage win, a bike length ahead of Michael Matthews (Orica Greenedge) and Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing). No changes were made to the general classification, as all the main contenders finished on the same time as the stage winner.
1st Place: John Degenkolb (GIA)
2nd Place: Michael Matthews (OGE)
3rd Place: Fabian Cancellara (TFR)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Leon Sanchez (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 16 - 160.5km, San Martín del Rey Aurelio - La Farrapona. Lagos de Somiedo
The Queen stage of this year’s Vuelta saw the riders travel 160km across Spain with four mountain passes and a summit finish to negotiate. The breakaway stood no chance as Team Sky kept up a high pace throughout the stage to look after Chris Froome’s general classification aspirations. Fireworks began as the reduced peloton hit the final 16.5km climb to the finish, with Froome launching a strong attack – showing that he is getting better as the race goes on. His attack distanced all of his GC rivals except for Contador, who sat firmly on his wheel and followed him up the climb. With 600m to go, Contador launched an attack which saw him go clear of Froome and win the stage with a 15 second margin. Having put time into all of the other Red Jersey contenders, Contador now holds a 1:36 lead over his nearest rival, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). The stage wasn’t without controversy however, as both Tinkoff Saxo’s Ivan Rovny and Omega Pharma-Quickstep’s Gianluca Brambilla were disqualified from the race. The pair had a heated argument in the breakaway which quickly escalated to punches being thrown. Later in the stage, the commissaire’s disqualified both riders for their actions and they will take no further part in the Vuelta.
1st Place: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
2nd Place: Christopher Froome (SKY)
3rd Place: Allesandro De Marchi (CAN)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Leon Sanchez (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 15 - 152.2km, Oviedo - Lagos de Covadonga
Stage 15 of the Vuelta saw a mostly flat affair that ended with two climbs, the last of which being the famous Lagos de Covadonga, topping out at a painful 17.5% gradient. The flat terrain and wet weather meant that being in the breakaway was highly desirable, and therefore it wasn’t established until 50km into the stage. The group of 5 included Orica Greenedge’s Cameron Myer, and built up a large margin over the peloton. As the breakaway hit the final climb, it was quickly whittled down to Niemiec of Lampre and Myer of Greenedge. Myer did the bulk of the pace-making, before being dropped by Niemic with 5km remaining. Behind the breakaway, the GC contenders battled it out with Contador throwing in several violent attacks and Chris Froome losing time on his main rivals. Timing his ride to perfection, Niemic crossed the line and took the stage win only 5 seconds ahead of the first of the GC contenders, Valverde and Rodriguez. Both Valverde and Rodriguez slightly reduced their overall time gap to race leader Alberto Contador, who remains the GC leader with a 31 second margin.
1st Place: Przemyslaw Niemiec (LAM)
2nd Place: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
3rd Place: Joaquím Rodríguez Oliver (KAT)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 14 - 200.8 km, Santander - La Camperona. Valle de Sábero
Today's stage was the first of 3 big days in the mountains for the peloton. A break away of 23 riders escaped early in the stage, this included Luis León Sánchez Gil (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) who took the lead in the king of the mountains category off his team mate Luis Mas Bonet. The approach to the summit finish was challenging, it presented sections of up to 20% gradient. Of the favorite riders for general classification honours Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar Team) was the first to attack, however he ended up losing time to both his rivals Chris Froome (Sky) and current leader Alberto Contador Velasco (Tinkoff-Saxo). Chris Froome moved into the top three on general classification. Peter Sagan (Cannondale) abandoned midway through the stage.
1st Place: Ryder Hesjedal (GRS)
2nd Place: Oliver Zaugg (TCS)
3rd Place: Imanol Erviti Ollo (MOV)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis León Sánchez Gil (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belm
Stage 13 - 188.7, Belorado - Obregón. Parque de Cabárceno
Stage 13 presented the peloton with a challenging route including 3 main climbs and a hill top finish. An 11 man break away which included Peter Sagan (Cannondale) escaped early . With no general classification challengers in the break the chase was left to Orica GreenEDGE, who favored Michael Matthews chances of a stage win. The last of the break Alexey Lutsenko (Astana Pro Team) was caught with 7.3km to go. As the peloton entered the final kilometers the attacks started to come, first to go was Gianluca Brambilla (Omega Pharma Quick Step), however it was Daniel Navarro's (Cofidis, Solutions Credits) reaction that proved successful. Daniel claimed his second victory in 10 years as a professional cyclist.
1st Place: Daniel Navarro Garcia (COF)
2nd Place: Daniel Moreno Fernandez (KAT)
3rd Place: Wilco Kelderman (BEL)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 12 -166.4km, Logroño - Logroño
Stage 12 was a circuit race consisting of 12 laps of 20km. Matthias Krizek's (Cannondale) early solo breakaway held until 12 km’s to go. As the pace lifted on the final lap those chasing general classification honours all managed to stay out of trouble. John Degenkolb (Team Giant-Shimano) opened up the sprint with Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team) challenging but it was not enough, Degenkolb collected the stage win. A crash on the final corner of the stage did not affect the general classification standings, however the Orica GreenEDGE lead out was caught in the crash.
1st Place: John Degenkolb (GIA)
2nd Place: Tom Boonen (OPQ)
3rd Place: Jacopo Guarnieri (AST)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 11 - 153.4 km, Pamplona - Santuario de San Miguel de Aralar
For Quintana stage 11 began with disaster. Just 24 hours after crashing during the time trial Nairo Quintana (MOV) was back on the asphalt with a suspected broken collar bone, he retired from the race. Early on the final accent Chris Froome (Sky) appeared be to struggling at the rear of the main group while his team mate Dario Cataldo drove the pace at the front. Towards the top of the climb attacks and re-attacks came thick and fast from those in the hunt for stage honours and in contention for the red jersey. Fabio Aru (AST) was the first to find the finish line. Alberto Contador now leads the general classification by 20 seconds over Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV).
1st Place: Fabio Aru (AST)
2nd Place: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
3rd Place: Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (KAT)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 10 - 36.7 km, Real Monasterio de Santa María de Veruela - Borja
Stage 10 was the first of two individual time trials at the Vuelta. Alberto Contador mentioned pre-stage that this was the day he feared the most, however he had nothing to fear claiming the Red jersey with his 4th place finish. Disaster struck for the leader of the general classification going into the stage, Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (Movistar Team) as he miss calculated a corner coming off heavily. Nairo now sits in 11th on the general classification. Time trial world champion Tony Martin showed once again why his is one of the best claiming stage honours.
1st Place: Tony Martin (OPQ)
2nd Place: Rigoberto Uran Uran (OPQ)
3rd Place: Fabian Cancellara (TFR)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 9 - 185 km, Carboneras de Guadazaón - Aramón Valdelinares
After their riders placed 1st and 2nd at Giro D Italia Columbia has shown their strength once again. Both the stage victory and red jersey were claimed by Columbian riders Anacona Gomez of Lampre-Merida & Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas of Movistar Team respectively. The stage was the 2nd of eight summit finishes for this year’s Vuelta. An early break of 31 riders began to split on the penultimate climb and after a series of attacks and counter attacks Anacona broke free with 6km to go. The Lampre rider held an advantage all the way to the line, and won the stage by 45 seconds. Kiwi Sam Bewley flew the flag for Orica GreenEDGE in the early break.
1st Place: Anacona Gomez (LAM)
2nd Place: Alexey Lutsenko (AST)
3rd Place: Damiano Cunego (LAM)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas (MOV)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 8 - 207km, Baeza - Albacete
Stage 8 was the longest single stage of the Vuelta at 207km. A breakaway got out to a 7min lead at one point, however the peloton brought them back. With 40km to go the stage left the shelter of its adjacent mountain range and entered the open plains and crosswinds preceding the arrival town of Albacete. The crosswinds coupled with a charging peloton left riders spread across the road, with the main peloton being reduced to around 50 riders. Michael Matthews (OGE) collected a close second place behind winner Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ).
1st Place: Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ)
2nd Place: Michael Matthews (OGE)
3rd Place: Peter Sagan (CAN)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 7 - 169km, Alhendín - Alcaudete
Stage 7 included a little bit of everything. An unfortunate early crash saw the first abandonment of the tour by Ivan Santaromita of Orica GreenEDGE with a suspected broken finger. The stages eventual winner Alessandro De Marchi (Cannondale) came from an early break away of four who were not without their own drama. With 15km to go one of the escapees Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin Sharp had an unfortunate spill culminating with his bike being run over by a TV motorbike. Ryder Hesjedal still managed to place second on the stage while Chris Froome (SKY) laid to rest any doubts of his health by taking 3 seconds over his rivals on the line.
1st Place: Alessandro De Marchi (CAN)
2nd Place: Ryder Hesjedal (GRS)
3rd Place: Hubert Dupont (ALM)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 6 - 167.7km, Benalmádena - Cumbres Verdes (La Zubia)
Stage 6 was the first summit finish of the tour and the big names came out to play.. Today saw a change in strategy for Orica GreenEDGE from pursuing stage wins for Micheal Matthews to delivering their Columbian climber Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio safely to the base of the final climb. Garmin Sharp took up the early challenge of bringing back the break but once on the final climb it was time for the climbers to shine. George Bennett (Cannondale) from New Zealand had an early showing with 2.5km to go on the climb, while eventual stage winner Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Movistar Team) showed his strength doing a majority of the early work and claiming the stage win. Both Chris Froome (Team Sky) and Alberto Contador Velasco (Tinkoff-Saxo) finished on the wheel of Valverde (MOV). Jhoan Esteban Chaves Rubio (OGE) finished seventh on the stage.
1st Place: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
2nd Place: Chris Froome (SKY)
3rd Place: Alberto Contador Velasco (TCS)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Stage 5 - 180km, Priego de Cordoba - Ronda
Pre-stage Orica GreenEDGE stated they would be leaving the chasing up to other teams in order to conserve strength for their 24-year-old Colombian Esteban Chaves. The team has a conservative goal of seeing Esteban Chaves through to a top ten general classification finish. With temperature remaining high and strong crosswinds little reprieve was offered for much of the fifth stage. John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) secured his second stage win with a long range strike on the finish. Sprinter Michael Matthews the current general classification leader is realistic about his time in Red with the first mountain stage taking place tomorrow.
1st Place: John Degenkolb (GIA)
2nd Place: Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ)
3rd Place: Moreno Hofland (BEL)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Michael Matthews (OGE)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: John Degenkolb (GIA)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Sergio Pardilla Bellon (MTN)
Stage 4 - 164.7km, Mairena del Alcor - Córdoba
Stage 4 was a hot day on the bike with the mercury hitting 40 degrees. An early break of four riders was caught with 50km to go. Team Sky set a hot pace over the Alto del Catorce por Ciento in an effort to distance most of the sprinters. Adam Yates (Orica-GreenEdge) and Anacona (Lampre-Merida) attacked towards the top of the climb. Michael Matthews of Orica GreenEDGE claimed third and retains the red jersey. John Degenkolb (Giant-Shimano) took line honours.
1st Place: John Degenkolb (GIA)
2nd Place: Vicente Reynes Mimo (IAM)
3rd Place: Michael Matthews (OGE)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Michael Matthews (OGE)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: Michael Matthews (OGE)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Valerio Conti (LAM)
Stage 3 - 197.8 km, Cádiz - Arcos De La Frontera
Bling takes the lead. It was a day of hard work and a fitting reward for Orica GreenEDGE (OGE). With most other teams including the former race leaders Movistar not willing to pursue an early break, the OGE squad made the tough a decision to chase by themselves. A final effort by Simon Clarke delivered Michael Matthews among the leaders at the base of the 1.3km rise the finish. Matthews judged his move to perfection, taking the stage as well as the general classification lead. He now wears red.
1st Place: Michael Matthews (OGE)
2nd Place: Daniel Martin (GRS)
3rd Place: Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (KAT)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Michael Matthews (OGE)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: Michael Matthews (OGE)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Luis Mas Bonet (CJR)
Stage 2 - 174.4km, Algeciras - San Fernando
Stage two was designed for the sprinters, flat. The fear crosswinds never eventuate leaving all general classification contenders safe. A superbly executed lead out from Française des Jeux (FDJ) delivered Nacer Bouhanni to the line almost uncontested. There was a change of general classification leaders, Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV) now dons the Red jersey.
1st Place: Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ)
2nd Place: John Degenkolb (TGS)
3rd Place: Roberto Ferrari (LAM)
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (MOV)
Vuelta a España Green Jersey Leader: Nacer Bouhanni (FDJ)
Vuelta a España Polka Dot Jersey Leader: Nathan Haas (GRS)
Vuelta a España White Jersey Leader: Valerio Conti (LAM)
Stage 1 - 12.6km, Jerez de la Frontera - Jerez de la Frontera
Movistar takes the opening team time trial, a repeat of two years ago in Pamplona. An exceptional performance from Cannonade Pro Cycling placed them second for the stage. Cannondale Pro cycling is not known for their team time trial ability. Third place was claimed by a strong Orica GreenEdge squad. Time trialing specialist Jonathan Castroviejo from Movistar will be wearing the Red jersey from tomorrow.
1st Place: Movistar Team
2nd Place: Cannondale Pro Cycling
3rd Place: Orica GreenEdge
Vuelta a España Red Jersey Leader: CASTROVIEJO, Jonathan (MOV)
