La Zubia, 28th of August – 2014
Before today’s 167.1 kilometer long sixth stage of Vuelta a Espana from Benalmádena to the steep and 4 kilometer long uphill finish to La Zubia, Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador was 9th in the overall classification. An exciting duel between the GC contenders was highly expected.
However, Pim Lighthart (Lotto-Belisol) presumable wanted a re-match after yesterday’s failed breakway as he launched the first break of the day along with and Lluis Más Bonet (Caja Rural Seguros). And the escapees managed to create a gap of about 15 minutes before the peloton started turning on the big gears to reel them back in.
Thundering towards the final slope and closing in on the front duo, Tinkoff-Saxo managed to put Alberto Contador in a favorable position for the explosive finale where the top-10 riders started to crumble one by one. Tinkoff-Saxo’s Alberto Contador was sitting quietly behind the biggest favorite today, Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) next to Chris Froome (Sky).
And with 700 meters to go, Rodriguez took off in high pace but he was brought back by a select chase group consisting of Tinkoff-Saxo’s Contador, Froome and Valverde and on the finish line, Valverde had the best sprint of the three and took the stage win while Alberto finished third on the line in the same time as Froome.
Alberto Contador climbed to third overall as Valverde took the lead.
Tinkoff-Saxo’s Steven De Jongh was surprised to see Alberto in the top-3 today:
“The goal was to put Alberto in a good position entering the foot of the climb and the boys did a very good job guiding him in the finale. From here, we didn’t really know what to expect after his crash during the Tour and the break from racing so I guess he took us all by surprise today and naturally I’m more than happy with this result. However, we still have to go easy and we take the race stage by stage and see how things are going. Tomorrow’s stage is probably going to be just as hot as today but I expect a bigger group battling it out between them and we obviously have to keep protecting Alberto,” said DS, Steven De Jongh after the stage.
Alberto Contador is 18 seconds behind Valverde.
