BiciRace.com :: Vuelta a España

2005 Vuelta a España, Rest Day 2

Vuelta a España, Spain

Post Vuelta

20 September

Stages 16 to 21, A Review

Stage List, Photos

Bettini Spoils Fassa Party

Bettini Spoils Fassa Party, photo: © Unipublic

In stage 16 the Tuscan Terror, Paolo Bettini (Quick-Step), mixed it with the cement boys and came out on top. The Fassa Bortolo train was confused with 1K to go, when Thomas Ziegler (Gerolsteiner) launched off the front of the speeding pack. Ale-Jet and his boys were unable to recover, and Bettini benefited. Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros-Würth) stayed clean and out of trouble, keeping the Gold jersey.

Quesada Gives Comunidad Their 2nd

Carlos García Quesada Wins, photo: © Unipublic

Carlos García Quesada gave Comunidad Valenciana their second win in stage 17 of the 60th Vuelta a España. The Comunidad rider was part of an early escape group, then went on to launch a solo attack at 32K to go. He was able to hold off the pursuers to take victory in La Granja de San Ildefonso. Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros-Würth) kept his coolness in the Vuelta's golden jersey, never under serious threat.

Sørensen Overpowers Rodríguez in Ávila

Sørensen Overpowers Rodríguez in Ávila, photo: © Unipublic

The Dane, Nicki Sørensen took top honors in the medieval city of Ávila in stage 18. The Team CSC rider foiled his partner, Javier Pascual Rodríguez (Comunidad Valenciana), in the final meters of the cobbled finish. Behind Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros-Würth) safely passed his last mountain test in this year's Vuelta a España.

German Rookie Grabs Glory

Heinrich Haussler Scores, photo: © Unipublic

Little known 21 year-old German, Heinrich Haussler (Gerolsteiner), surprised the best, and grabbed victory in stage 19 of the Vuelta a España. The day was a rest day of sorts for the heavy hitters on the GC. They were saving themselves for the all important individual time trial and more than content to let some of the lesser knowns grab a little attention.

Plaza and Comunidad Valenciana Party Hard

Plaza Powers, photo: © Unipublic

Rubén Plaza made it three stage wins for Comunidad Valenciana in this years Vuelta a España. The Spaniard held off the top three GC men to take the biggest win his career in stage 20. Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros-Würth) did more than enough to keep his gold jersey, he almost won the TT. Not bad for our little climber on this flat course.

Petacchi Wins Sprint, Heras Is Golden

In perhaps a preview of the World Championships Alessandro Petacchi silenced his critics and took out stage 21 in fine fashion, ahead of Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) and German youngster Heinrich Haussler. Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros-Würth) finished the final stage in the race leader's golden jersey. He became the only rider in Vuelta a España history to win the race 4 times.

Read a review of Rest Day 1, Stages 1 to 11
Read a review of Rest Day 2, Stages 12 to 15

[* 8 February 2006: The RFEC (Spanish Cycling Federation) suspended Roberto Heras for two years after the positive doping control that was taken on stage 20. Denis Menchov, who finished second, will be be recorded as 2005 Vuelta a España winner.]

Final GC: (see full listing)
82.22.55, ave 40.74 K/h
4.36
4.54
5.58
(Spa) Comunidad Valenciana 8.06
11.36
13.22
16.38
18.15
18.31
20.12
Seguros-Würth 31.44
34.57
35.03
35.33
36.18
36.23
37.14
38.37
40.45
42.14
47.46
50.35
50.50

51.54
52.44
54.14
1.01.14
1.05.23

Points
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 169
2 Roberto Heras (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth 169
3 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 142
4 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 124
5 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile 118

Mountains
1 Joaquím Rodríguez (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 200
2 Eladio Jiménez (Spa) Comunidad Valenciana 166
3 Roberto Heras (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth 110
4 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 72
5 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears 65

Combination
1 Roberto Heras (Spa) Liberty Seguros-Würth 6
2 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank 9
3 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 14
4 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears 15
5 Carlos García Quesada (Spa) Comunidad Valenciana 18

Teams
1 Comunidad Valenciana 246.55.45
2 Illes Balears 54.02
3 Team CSC 1.00.30
4 Liberty Seguros-Würth 1.14.42
5 Davitamon-Lotto 1.15.25