BiciRace.com :: News :: September 2005

News :: September 2005

12 September 2005

Roberto Heras Conquers la Vuelta

Heras In Finale, photo: © Unipublic

There are not many days in professional cycling like the one BiciRace.com witnessed yesterday. Roberto Heras and his team, Liberty Seguros-Würth, took the Vuelta a España and turned it upside down. Heras went into stage 15 with a 47" deficit to Denis Menchov (Rabobank), and came out of the stage 4'30" ahead.

It was truly an inspiring race by Heras and all the riders in the Vuelta. Yesterday's stage was over twisty and narrow roads, while under fog and rain. Liberty team DS, Manolo Saiz, took the race to another level, applying masterful tactics to ensure his team came home gold. "I attacked in the last kilometer and half of the Colladiella climb, where Menchov was still close by, but it was on the descent when I made the big difference," explained the stage winner, Heras.

Heras bombed down the descent, and he had too, this was his last chance to take time away from the Russian. "I don't know if Menchov knew the climb, but I did not know it very well. In the descent I took some curves without knowing what was ahead. I took my risks, but I knew that below my companions were waiting for me. We knew that it was the last opportunity to attack, and kept to our tactics, which were to attack until the end."

The 3X Vuelta winner did have his doubts after stage 14, where Menchov marked him every kilometer. It looked like Heras was not going to distance the Russian in the final day of the mountains, but that is the Vuelta, always full of unknowns and exciting racing. "Yesterday [stage 14] I saw a relaxed Menchov, at least without problems, but in a thee week tour the wear accumulates. Now it looks like it was a bluff ... The [stage 15] tactics we used were our plan: we were going to attack on the Colladiella [50K to go] and had to have people ahead. ... It worked out perfect for us."

Scarponi Applied The Polish

Scarponi Leads Final Group, photo: © Unipublic

Michele Scarponi was the finishing polish on the perfectly executed Liberty Seguros-Würth plan in stage 15 of the 60th Vuelta a España. The Italian paced his team leader, Roberto Heras, during the first kilometers of the Puerto de Pajares, then went on to arrive in fourth. Scarponi showed all the signs of a hard battle when he crossed the line, but his work was well rewarded: His captain took the overall lead and the stage win. After the epic day Scarponi added, "the stage was sensational. The team was wonderful. It has been amazing ... We have worked a lot, but to perfection."

The Vuelta does not finish for another week. The riders will have some rest today, before starting Tuesday with 'sprint stages' and then the time trial. Scarponi's mate has 4'30" over Denis Menchov, which should be enough to win the final GC. "We won't have won the Vuelta until we get to Madrid", Scarponi added while searching for the team bus.

A Good Race for Menchov

Denis Menchov (Rabobank) was dealt a huge blow in stage 15 of the Vuelta a España. After leading the Vuelta for the last week, he gave into fatigue and a strong Liberty Seguros-Würth team. Menchov said after the stage that his left knee was bothering him, perhaps 'because of the cold and rainy conditions.' The Russian was caught off guard by the time gains of Roberto Heras on the descent of Colladiella, "I didn't expect it, but cycling is like that. Liberty has a great team and they used it to perfection. One day it is great for us, another for them."

Menchov, who is still only 27 years-old, rode a solid Vuelta. He has taken a huge step in defining his character and his capabilities as a three week stage racer. The Russian is able to dominate in the time trials and keep his gains in the mountains, a perfect mix for winning a grand tour. Maybe the Tour de France is more suited towards Menchov, instead of the hard climbing of the Vuelta or Giro.

60th Vuelta a España:
Startlist
Stages and Maps, Key Stages, Overall Map
Photos, Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

McEwen Continues Flight

Team Australia are going to have a serious threat in their squadra for the upcoming World Championships in Madrid. Yesterday Aussie fast-man, Robbie McEwen, won the 73d GP de Fourmies. It was the 25th success of the season for the Davitamon-Lotto rider, confirming his winning intentions for Madrid. It was also his second win in a row, after winning Paris-Bruxelles the day before. Both wins came with the help of a strong Belgian squadra, Davitamon-Lotto, but in Madrid McEwen will have to rely on his countrymen to deliver him to a sprint win. (Read: McEwen Wins in Brussels, 11 September)

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