63rd Vuelta a España - GT

Spain, August 30 - September 21, 2008

Photography

Stage 21 - September 21: San Sebastián de los Reyes - Madrid , 110 km

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Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• Scott Sunderland before the final stage of the 2008 Vuelta a España
• CSC-Saxo Bank directeur sportif Scott Sunderland was happy his team finished second in the teams classification, in addition to Carlos Sastre's podium finish in Madrid.
• Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank) is probably the most patient autograph giver and photo poser in the peloton. One of the reasons why he was always the last one to sign in.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) will win his third Grand Tour in three tries.
• Race organiser Victor Cordero walked through the riders lined up on both sides before stage 21.
• Will Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) get his second stage win today?
• The Astana led bunch in the neutral zone
• Leipheimer, Vaitkus and Contador ride by
• Erik Zabel looks for another sprint opportunity today.
• Greg Van Avermaet will want to finally secure the blue sprinter's jersey for good.
• Astana had a firm grip on the race and also on the first laps in Madrid.
• Contador in yellow followed by Leipheimer who finished second and Assan Bazayev, the champion of Kazakhstan.
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) took it easy in the final circuits and was just trying to make sure he didn't crash.
• José Ruiz (Andalucía-Cajasur) was a tad stunned as he was helped off his bike after he crashed heavily in the final three kilometres.
• There were a ton of Contador fans in Madrid and celebrated him.
• The specially painted bike of Contador
• Contador concentrated on the national anthem while Leipheimer and Sastre looked at the parachuters coming down with two Spanish and one US flag.
• And then there was a final Spanish flag coming down to celebrate the Tour of Spain. The 2008 Vuelta is now officially over.
• Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto) was lying down after he managed to cross the finish line despite a 60km/h crash two kilometres from the line.

Images by AFP Photo

• Matti Breschel (CSC-Saxo Bank) beats Alexandr Usov (AG2R) and Davide Vigano (Quick Step) to the line.
• Matti Breschel (CSC-Saxo Bank) takes the sprint in Madrid
• Alberto Conatdor wins his third Grand Tour in just 14 months. An historic feat.
• Who is Alberto Contador aiming at?
• Alberto Contador (Astana) has a solemn moment during the Spanish anthem.

Images by Unipublic

• Francis Mourey (Française des Jeux) heads off road.
• Francis Mourey (Française des Jeux) haves some fun on the last day of the Vuelta a España.
• Team Astana leads the race into Madrid.
• Tomas Vaitkus (Astana) heads out of the Vuelta a España on one wheel.
• A Xacobeo rider enjoying a rest – on the street.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) enjoys the last day of the 63rd Vuelta a España.
• Fuel up? maillot oro Alberto Contador (Astana) fills his bike with gas on the final day of the Vuelta.
• Astana's Johan Bruyneel with the winner of the 63rd Vuelta a España, Alberto Contador (Astana).
• Alberto Contador (Astana) enjoys a drink with Levi Leipheimer (Astana) and Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank), l & r.
• Emanuele Bindi (Lampre) leads the three-man escape with Jesús Rosendo (Andalucía-Cajasur) and Valerio Agnoli (Liquigas), r-l.
• Riders on the street of Madrid.
• Matti Breschel (CSC-Saxo Bank) wins the last stage of the 2008 Vuelta.
• Best team Caisse d'Epargne called up to the podium.
• Race Director Victor Cordero and Alberto Contador (Astana) at the end of the Vuelta.
• Race Director Victor Cordero is proud of another well-organised Vuelta.
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) in the red mountains jersey.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) also won the combination jersey.
• Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) took home the blue points jersey.
• Race winner Alberto Contador (Astana) tops the podium with David Moncoutié (Cofidis), Levi Leipheimer (Astana), Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank) and Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto).
• Alberto Contador (Astana) with Race Director Victor Cordero.

Stage 20 - September 20: La Granja de San Ildefonso - Alto de Navacerrada (ITT) , 16 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Alberto Contador (Astana) grimaces as he finishes the stage 20 time trial. He can rest easier with one day to go before he wins his third Grand Tour.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) gives it his all to take his second stage win, and securing second overall in the Vuelta. He is still the only American to stand on the Spanish Tour's podium, and goes one step higher than his finish in 2001.

Images by Unipublic

• Alberto Contador (Astana) can rest easy with just one stage left to go.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) took the stage win, his second of the Vuelta.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) didn't have good legs, but still managed second on the stage.
• Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) put in another strong time trial performance.
• Sandy Casar (FdJ) took a nice 12th place.
• Gustavo Cesar Veloso (Xacobeo Galicia)
• Alberto Contador (Astana) started off well, but quickly began to struggle.
• Robert Gesink (Rabobank) faded out of the top five overall.
• Andreas Klöden (Astana) put in a good ride for 10th place.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) came within 46 seconds of winning the Vuelta.
• David Moncoutie (Cofidis) in the mountains leader's kit.
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) took sixth, but failed to knock Sastre off the podium.
• Evgeny Petrov (Tinkoff) set one of the fastest early times.
• Nicholas Roche (Credit Agricole) confirmed his future as a Grand Tour rider by finishing 13th overall.
• Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne)
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) came in fourth on the stage to secure his podium spot.
• Valverde rode without aero bars but still posted nearly the same time as Contador.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) had the best time until the Astana duo came through.
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) showed the determination of a Tour winner by holding off a charge to knock him off the podium.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• Oleg Tinkoff tries his luck on the course - somehow I don't think he was quite up to speed
• Greg van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) shows that although he's an up-and-coming sprinter, his time trialling ain't the best, finishing 108th
• Van Avermaet's team-mate Yaroslav Popovych finished the day in 44th
• Dominique Cornu (Silence-Lotto) was the U23 TT world champion in 2006 and took 19th on the stage
• Milram's Erik Zabel may have ridden his last TT at the Vuelta
• Vasili Kirienka (Tinkoff) grimaces with the mega effort during stage 20
• Sergio Paulinho is resplendant in his Portuguese national champion's kit
• Another Portuguese rider, 'Chechu' Rubiera proves there's life in the old legs with 36th place
• Hey, Andreas! Andreas Kloeden smiles for the camera - now that's rare!
• Another veteran, Sandy Casar puts in the hard yards for Marc Madiot
• Rinaldo Nocentini (Ag2r) cemented his place in the top 25
• Javier Moreno (Andalucía - Cajasur) gasps for air on his way to finishing 21st
• The diminuitive John Gadret (Ag2r) is well suited to hilly time trials and it showed as he finished in the top 20
• David Arroyo has been one of Caisse d'Epargne's weapons during the Vuelta
• Jurgen Van Goolen (CSC Saxo Bank) makes his way up the climb
• Juan Manuel Garate (Quickstep) was keen to finish his Vuelta strongly and finished 30th
• Stage 15 winner, David Garcia Dapena wanted to keep his high GC position intact, and he did
• Nicolas Roche (Credit Agricole) has proven he's got what it takes to ride a good Grand Tour during this Vuelta
• Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) couldn't add to his tally of TT wins, finishing eighth
• Daniel Moreno (Caisse d'Epargne) rides within himself on stage 20
• Oliver Zaugg (Gerolsteiner) really shows the strain
• David Moncoutie (Cofidis) has never been known for his time trialling ability
• Former race leader Egoi Martinez of Euskaltel uses the time-honoured, tongue-out climbing technique
• Joaquim Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne) looks in all sorts of pain during stage 20
• One of the favourites going into the Vuelta, Alejandro Valverde, battles to secure a top five GC position
• Rabobank's Robert Gesink has enjoyed a strong 2008, and finishes the Vuelta in good form with a top 10 in the final TT
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) ensured that he'd finish in the top five overall with sixth in the TT
• Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre should be happy with a Vuelta podium in Madrid
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) again proved why he's got a reputation as a great time trialler
• Astana team leader Alberto Contador proved why he's the hottest property in cycling right now
• Alberto Contador once again dug deep to defend a GC lead
• All roads lead to Madrid at the Vuelta
• Assan Bazayev (Astana) makes his way through the big crowd
• If you follow this road you'll get to the Spanish capital... the hard way!
• Gorazd Stangelj (Liquigas) finished in 101st position
• Levi Leiphimer was in the zone on his wya to winning the final TT
• But the American was chased by his team-mate, Alberto Contador
• Come on Alberto! Contador had plenty of support
• Tinkoff's Evgeny Petrov flew the Russian flag for the boys in yellow
• Alejandro Valverde made a real go of climbing the GC ladder today
• Levi Leipheimer looking compact at the finish in Alto de Navacerrada
• A big grimace from stage winner Levi Leipheimer as he crosses the line
• Alberto Contador made it a great day for Astana by sealing the overall victory
• Yes! Mission complete... for Alberto Contador
• All action figure of Levi Leipheimer sold separately...
• Thanks, you've been a great audience acknowledges Levi Leipheimer on the podium
• Levi gets more mantlepiece fillers for his victory in Alto de Navacerrada
• Levi Leipheimer is thrilled with the stage victory and second overall in this year's Vuelta
• And he cuts loose with a big swig of the bubbly
• Winners get the babes... and doesn't Alberto know it!
• More kisses for Alberto Contador ahead of the final stage into Madrid

Stage 19 - September 19: Las Rozas - Segovia , 161 km

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Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• The Crédit Agricole bus doesn't look so sharp anymore.
• Scott Sunderland at the sunny start of stage 19, heading to Segovia.

Images by AFP Photo

• David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne) gives his team another stage win in Segovia.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• Vasili Kiryienka (Tinkoff) puts down an attack with 10km to go.
• Kiryienka tries to get away , but Arroyo wasn't about to let that happen
• Arroyo has to work hard to get on the wheel of the Belarus rider.
• The Caisse d'Epargne team leads the peloton trying to deliver Valverde to the stage win.
• The Astana team is right behind protecting overall leader Alberto Contador.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) is tucked in behind the Caisse d'Epargen lead-out.
• David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne) gets the win after dropping his breakaway companions.
• Arroyo gets his first Grand Tour stage in Sagovia.
• Arroyo made it clear to Kiryienka that he was only there to work for Valverde, but the Tinkoff rider still pulled all the way to the finish.
• David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne) looks back to see where the peloton is.
• It begins to dawn on David Arroyo that he has done something spectacular.
• Vasili Kiryienka (Tinkoff) struggles in for second.
• Alejandro Valverde leads the peloton home.
• Greg Van Avermaet (Silence Lotto) padded his lead in the points classification.
• David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne) gets to enjoy the fruits of his labors.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) came one step closer to taking his third career Grand Tour - one of each.
• David Arroyo gets a big hug from Valverde.
• This trophy will sit well on David Arroyo's mantle.

Stage 18 - September 18: Valladolid - Las Rozas , 179 km

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Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• The Bouygues Telecom staff parked very tight as there wasn't much space in the area set up for the team.
• The license plate was crunched but a good spot was quickly found for it.

Images by AFP

• Alberto Contador (Astana) still in yellow
• You never know what you'll see when racing in the Vuelta.
• Director of "La Vuelta" Victor Cordero chats with Paolo Bettin (Quick Step)
• Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne) outsprints Nicolas Roche (Crédit Agricole) for the win.
• Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne) takes the win in stage 18.
• Winner Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne) after the stage
• Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne) gets his first pro win.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• Belgian Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) enjoys a refreshment after the day's stage.
• Carlos Sastre Candil (Team CSC - Saxo Bank) is set for another Grand Tour podium finish.
• Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana) has enjoyed a fantasic season and the glory hasn't stopped yet.
• Nicolas Roche (Crédit Agricole) looks to see if victory is his but finds out Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne) won.
• Nicolas Roche (Crédit Agricole) wanted it...
• ...but Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne) won it...
• ...leaving the Irishman lost for words.
• Spain's David Herrero Llorente (Xacobeo Galici) couldn't do it on home soil, instead finishing third on the stage.
• Vasili Kiryienka (Tinkoff Credit Systems) was five seconds back in in fourth place.
• Karsten Kroon (Team CSC - Saxo Bank) took fifth place on the stage.
• Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (Silence - Lotto) beat the Italians in his group to sixth place.
• Italy's Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) rolls over the line in eighth position.
• José Vicente Garcia Acosta finished 14th after setting up his Caisse d'Epargne team-mate's win.
• Vuelta leader Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana) rolls in with the main bunch.
• Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne) looks to the sky as he soaks up that winning feeling.
• The essence of victory by Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne). Only available in Las Rozas.
• Spain's Imanol Erviti Ollo (Caisse d'Epargne) celebrates his victory.
• Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana) is all smiles as his third Grand Tour victory gets closer to becoming official.
• Number one: Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana) looks set for another Grand Tour win.

Stage 17 - September 17: Zamora - Valladolid , 160 km

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Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• The protagonists of yesterday Walter Pedraza (Tinkoff Credit Systems, left) and Jesús Rosendo (Andalucía-Cajasur) were on hand for a little pre-race chat with Spanish TV today.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) rolls to the start with his "Pinayellow".
• Robert Gesink will have a quiet day today but may look forward to the time trial.
• Tom Boonen in blue, although Contador is still the points leader but Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) will try to snatch it back. Van Avermaet has 100 points like Boonen, but the latter will not finish the race.
• Erik Zabel rolls to the start.
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) makes sure to not damage his hair with the helmet until the last possible moment.
• Paolo Bettini will pull out tomorrow.
• The view over the harbour area where stage 15 kicked off.

Images by AFP

• Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) and others sprint to the finish.
• It's a mad dash to the finish.
• Celebration time for Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step)
• Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) on the podium.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) in gold for another day.
• Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) throws his bike to take victory.

Images by Unipublic

• The Astana team took a back seat to the sprinters teams.
• Another bouquet thrown, another step closer to the third Grand Tour for Alberto Contador.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) stays fueled up for the 148km stage.
• Horrillo and Ruiz try to stay away.
• The peloton begins the chase, under a clear sky.
• The hot, nearly cloudless blue sky.
• The breakaway of Pedro Horrillo (Rabobank) and José Ruiz (Andalucía-Cajasur).
• The peloton passes through a dry, hot countryside.
• The Silence-Lotto team takes the lead.
• Wouter Weylandt takes his second victory of the 2008 season, but his biggest win to date.
• Wouter Weylandt gets it on the bike throw.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• The lead-out man has a chance to savor the podium.
• Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) pops the cap on a fine win.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) had an easy day in the golden jersey.
• David Moncoutie is congratulated by Miguel Indurain.
• Miguel Indurain was on hand for the podium
• Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) has a slight advantage as they head to the line.
• The sprint is close between the top eight.
• Nobody is sure who won…
• It was a tight finish with several riders within centimetres of the win.
• The Quick Step team celebrates after Wouter Weylandt's win.
• Paolo Bettini watches the replay of his teammate's win.
• Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step) discusses the win with his teammates.

Stage 16 - September 16: Ponferrada - Zamora , 185 km

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Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• Cyril Lemoine (Crédit Agricole) was a proof that there is almost too much sun in Spain.
• Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) is having a good time at the Vuelta.
• José Luis Rubiera (Astana) rolls to the start
• José Luis Arrieta (AG2R La Mondiale) held on to the race director's car early on.
• Tomas Vaitkus (Astana) enjoyed the easy rollout and the fact that it was neutralised.
• Tom Boonen and Greg Van Avermaet may already discuss how to get it to a sprint today.
• Iñigo Cuesta (CSC-Saxo Bank) and Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) roll side by side.
• Loyd Mondory (AG2R La Mondiale) is really hoping for a sprint today.
• Oliver Zaugg will take it easy until the uphill time trial.
• Paolo Bettini was the last to head out but was hoping to be the first to arrive in Zamora.

Images by AFP

• The pelton during stage 16.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) wins in Zamora.
• Bubbly time for winner Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
• Tom Boonen captures victory in the final field sprint thanks to a handy leadout by his teammates.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
• Alberto Contador (Astana) keeps the gold jersey going into stage 17.
• Kisses for Alberto Contador (Astana) who is overall race leader.

Images by Unipublic

• World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) leads the peloton.
• Race leader Alberto Contador (Astana) rides in the maillot oro.
• Spain's Alberto Contador (Astana) rides along in stage 16.
• Germany's Andreas Klöden (Astana) passes a bottle to teammate Alberto Contador, the race leader.
• The riders pass some Spanish ruins.
• A Silence-Lotto rider leads the gruppo.
• Spain's beauty
• Peloton passes a castle.
• Jesús Rosendo (Andalucía-Cajasur) rides in the two man escape ahead of Walter Pedraza (Tinkoff Credit Systems).
• Walter Pedraza (Tinkoff Credit Systems) follows Jesús Rosendo (Andalucía-Cajasur) in the two-man escape.
• The long day meant long shadows as the race finished near dinner time.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• Race director Victor Cordero
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) wins stage 16 over Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas), r.
• Belgium's Tom Boonen (Quick Step) wins stage 16 of the Vuelta a España.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) having fun on the podium after winning the stage.
• Tom Boonen congratulates Quick Step teammate Paolo Bettini.
• Stage winner Tom Boonen (Quick Step) congratulated by teammate Andrea Tonti, l.
• Maillot oro Alberto Contador (Astana)

Stage 15 - September 15: Cudillero - Ponferrada , 198 km

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Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• The start area just underneath the vertical cliffs was a nice way to kick things off.
• José Antonio Carrasco (Andalucía-Cajasur) before the start.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) rolls to the start
• Contador was quickly surrounded by a mass of people as the Spaniard is extremely popular, especially when it is relatively close to his native Madrid area.
• Bettini won this boat when he took out the stage in Suances.
• Bettini's boat is now placed on the front of the Quick Step bus.
• The start was straight up from the ocean but fortunately for the rider it was neutralised.
• The view over the harbour area where stage 15 kicked off.

Images by AFP

• David Garcia Dapena (Xacobeo Galicia) celebrates his win at the end of stage 15.
• The winning salute of David Garcia Dapena (Xacobeo Galicia) after a day in the break.
• Kisses for the stage winner David Garcia Dapena (Xacobeo Galicia)
• Alberto Contador (Astana) stays in gold after a leisurely day in the peloton.
• Overall leader Alberto Contador (Astana)
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) is all smiles before the start of stage 15.

Stage 14 - September 14: Oviedo - E. E. Fuentes de Invierno , 158 km

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• Alberto Contador (Astana) takes his second consecutive mountain top victory.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) seals his lead in the general classification by dropping his competitors again.

Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) leads the break in Mieres.
• Dmitry Kozontchouk (Rabobank) joined the break a little later.
• Martin Velits (Team Milram) also made the break
• Astana controlled the peloton impressively.

Images by Unipublic

• Alberto Contador (Astana) leads the points classification thanks to his stage wins.
• Another golden jersey for Alberto Contador who is on his way to making history by winning all three Grand Tours - just not in the same year.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) also leads the combination classification.
• Contador is looking forward to his third Grand Tour title.
• Contador enjoys another day in the golden jersey.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) takes his second stage win, and solidifies his lead in the overall.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) leads the breakaway.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) made the break, but faded on the final climb.
• Robert Gesink (Rabobank) is marked by mountains leader David Moncoutie.
• The final climb does its damage.
• Mosquera pulled for the entire final climb but was passed at the end by Contador and Leipheimer.
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) leads the gold jersey group.
• Jurgen van Goolen (CSC-Saxo Bank) tried to steal some glory from the favourites, but faded.
• Jurgen van Goolen (CSC) powers up the final climb in a vain attempt to steal the stage victory from Contador.
• Jurgen van Goolen (CSC) leads the breakaway and would be the last man to be caught by the Contador group.
• Martin Velits (Team Milram) and Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) try to hold off the favourites group.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) flew the coop and took the solo victory.
• All of Caisse d'Epargne's work was for nought when Alejandro Valverde lost contact on the final climb.
• The Caisse d'Epargne team set the pace to bring back the breakaway.
• The climbs begin to wear on the breakaway.

Stage 13 - September 13: San Vicente de la Barquera - Alto de L'Angliru , 199 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Alberto Contador (Astana) put his mark on the Vuelta with a brilliant win on the Angrilu.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) put time into all of his GC rivals and now leads by 1'07 over his teammate Levi Leipheimer.

Images by Unipublic

• Alberto Contador (Astana) takes over the golden jersey.
• The Euskaltel-Euskadi team suffered the loss of the golden jersey and the loss of its team leader, Igor Anton, who crashed out.
• Bang! Alberto Contador (Astana) guns down his opponents with a storming ride on the Angrilu.
• The views were to die for but the final climb, to die on.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) on his way to the stage win.
• The three-man breakaway Maarten Tjallingii (Silence-Lotto), Matej Jurco (Milram) and Christophe Kern (Credit Agricole)
• Matej Jurco (Milram) made the breakaway.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) puts in an attack that is marked by Valverde.
• Race leader Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Jose Luis Rubiera (Astana) have a snack together.
• Andreas Klöden drives the pace for Astana.
• Astana was in firm control as the race headed to the final climb.
• Jose Luis Rubiera sets up the Astana attack for Contador and Leipheimer.
• The approach to the Angrilu is picturesque.
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) gets support from Spanish fans the Tour de France champion ran out of gas and lost 1'32 to Contador.
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) suffering on the Angrilu leading Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
• Valverde, Contador and Rodriguez leave the rest behind on the Angrilu.
• The peloton takes one of the switchbacks on its way to the Angrilu.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) leads Valverde on one of the steepest parts of the climb.
• An American fan runs ahead of Contador's group.
• Fans run alongside Contador on the steep part of the climb
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) leads Alberto Contador on the Angrilu.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• Fans make their way up the Alto de l'Angliru
• A look down the Alto de l'Angliru
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) struggles
• Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank) leads Levi Leipheimer (Astana) up the Alto de l'Angliru.
• Spain's Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank) ahead of Levi Leipheimer (Astana).
• USA's Levi Leipheimer (Astana) rode well.
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia)
• Swiss Oliver Zaugg (Gerolsteiner)
• Italian Damiano Cunego (Lampre) makes his way up the Alto de l'Angliru.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) grinds
• A motorbike stales on the Alto de l'Angliru.
• Mountains leader David Moncoutié (Cofidis) climbs the Alto de l'Angliru.
• Alberto Losada (Caisse d'Epargne)
• Nicolas Roche (Crédit Agricole) gets his climbing legs going.
• Italy's Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
• Jurgen Van Goolen (CSC-Saxo Bank)
• World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step)
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) gets a little help.
• Race leader Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) is riding out of he lead.
• The maillot oro of Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) will soon shift to Alberto Contador (Astana).
• Dominique Cornu (Silence-Lotto)
• Fans greet the riders.
• Juan Manuel Gárate (Quick Step)
• Italy's Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas)
• Belgium's Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) struggles on the high pitches of the Alto de l'Angliru.
• Classics star Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) struggles despite winning on the Vuelta a España's first mountain day and taking the maillot oro.
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner)
• Alto de l'Angliru: 10 to 21 percent gradients greet the riders.
• The Alto de l'Angliru
• Italy's Davide Viganò (Quick Step) finished 19 minutes back.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) makes his way up the Alto de l'Angliru.
• Spain's Alberto Contador (Astana), 25, wins on top of the Alto de l'Angliru.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne)
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
• Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank) finishes with a time loss of 1:32.
• Robert Gesink (Rabobank) had an impressive ride.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) celebrates his win and maillot oro.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) takes the maillot oro after his performance on the Alto de l'Angliru.
• Spain's Alberto Contador (Astana) awarded with the maillot oro.
• Spaniard Alberto Contador (Astana) wins on the Alto de l'Angliru in stage 13 of the 63rd Vuelta a España.
• Giro d'Italia winner Alberto Contador (Astana) takes the maillot oro of the Vuelta a España.

Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• A depressive view as a rider was the ridge up ahead with four kilometres to go.
• The fans who rode up had to put their feet down more than once.
• This rider clearly showed what he thought of the climb, but at least had the right gearing.
• The three to go banner offered a spectacular view down.
• The Basque fans were hoping for Igor Antón (Euskaltel-Euskadi) but he crashed out just before the final climb.
• The two to go banner and the fog rolled in but it stayed dry and nice.
• One to go in the rocky hills area
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) after the finish
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) was tired when he rode in
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) put a firmer grip on his mountain jersey.
• Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre) looks a tad unhappy with the climb he just came from.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) was exhausted after the finish.
• Amets Txurruka (Euskaltel-Euskadi) comes home
• Andreas Klöden (Astana) did his share of work and rolled away the tent where he could change.
• Oliver Zaugg (Gerolsteiner) was happy with his ride.
• Contador and Valverde checked out the profile once again after the race.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) is confident he can win the Vuelta now.

Stage 12 - September 11: Burgos - Suances , 180 km

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• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) escapes for a win in stage 12
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) gives his victory salute
• Winner Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) checks his back on his way to a win.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) celebrates with the bubbly.

Images by Unipublic

• The start in Burgos was sunny, contrary to the finish in Suances.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) rides in the combination jersey.
• The escape trio headed by Sébastien Hinault (Crédit Agricole), Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) and Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux) follow, l & r.
• Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) leads Sébastien Hinault (Crédit Agricole) and Sandy Casar (Française des Jeux) in the day's escape group.
• Andreas Klöden (Astana) battles the wet weather.
• A Lampre rider leads the way on the Vuelta's wet stage to Suances.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) rides in the maillot oro behind Paolo Bettini (Quick Step).
• Tomas Vaitkus (Astana) heads the peloton on a wet day in Spain.
• Spanish Champion Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) suffered time loss.
• Italy's Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) wins stage 12 of the Vuelta a España.
• World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) gets a boat as a trophy on one of the Vuelta's rainy days.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) enjoys another day in the race lead.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Caisse does the chasing for Alejandro Valverde, who was dropped on the descent of the Alto del Caracol.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) rides to the win in Suances.
• A hard day's effort by Paolo Bettini (Quick Step)
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) leads teammate Alessandro Ballan at the finish.
• World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) with the win in Suances.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) checks his back.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) finishes second in Suances.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) maintains his race leadership and the maillot oro.

Stage 11 - September 10: Calahorra - Burgos , 178 km

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Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• Alberto Contador (Astana) was a marked man even before the race started.
• Lots of wind mills out there but most of them were on strike today, on a hot day.
• Euskaltel was eager to get things going as they have the leader's jersey in a Grand Tour for the first time.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• The sprinters barrel into Burgos.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) holds off Tom Boonen (Quick Step) to take his second Grand Tour stage of the year.
• Freire throws the bike for good measure…
• The face of Oscar Freire says it all.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) takes stage 11 in Burgos.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) celebrates ahead of the other more dejected sprinters.
• Freire thoroughly enjoys his podium time.
• Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) maintained the race's overall lead.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) cools off after a hot stage.
• Johan Bruyneel, the Astana manager has been a popular person since the announcement that Lance Armstrong will make a comeback.
• Franco Ballerini has a laugh with Paolo Bettini after stage 11.
• Another view of the sprint in Burgos, won by Oscar Freire.
• Olympic gold medalist Sammy Sanchez was on hand for the podium ceremony.

Images by Unipublic

• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) takes the win on stage 11.
• Samuel Sanchez, the Olympic gold medalist, joins Martinez on the podium.
• Best young rider Alberto Contador (Astana) is on target for his second Grand Tour win of the year.
• Overall leader Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) had a quiet day in the peloton.
• The three-man breakaway suffers as the peloton closes down their gap.
• Fans watch as the race heads through their town.
• Liquigas leads the chase.
• Fans watch the race approaching from a highway overpass.
• The three-man breakaway gained more than seven minutes, but it wasn't enough to last until the finish
• The sun blazes over the peloton on its way to Burgos.
• Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank) and Alberto Contador (Astana)
• Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia), José Antonio López (Andalucía-Cajasur) and Andriy Grivko (Team Milram) made up the day's breakaway.

Stage 10 - September 9: Sabiñánigo - Zaragoza , 173 km

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Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• A happy Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) with his precious baby and his precious golden jersey.
• The family Martínez before the race.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) shows off his racer's tan.
• Johan Bruyneel is busy talking about Lance Armstrong again.
• Valverde in the blue jersey of points leader, but his one-point margin against sprinter Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) may vanish in Zaragoza.

Images by Sirotti/www.sirotti.it

• Sébastien Hinault (Credit Agricole) takes the stage win in Zaragoza.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) lies in wait in the white jersey of best young rider.
• Sébastien Hinault (Credit Agricole)
• Hinault celebrates his win with the traditional champagne soaking of the press.
• Egoi Martinez (Eustaltel-Euskadi) gets another golded jersey.
• Egoi Martinez (Eustaltel-Euskadi) enjoys his second day on the leader's podium.
• Egoi Martinez (Eustaltel-Euskadi) is happy to keep his leader's jersey for another day.
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) is dejected as the peloton comes rushing past him before the line.

Images by Unipublic

• Stage 10 breaks up in echelons.
• Matej Jurco (Team Milram) was solo for most of the day.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) rides in the leader's maillot oro.
• France's David Moncoutié (Cofidis) in the mountains red top.
• Astana drives the pace
• A team Astana rider gets bottles for the team.
• A USA fan looking rather silly.
• José Antonio López (Andalucía-Cajasur) leads the escape in the final 10 kilometres.
• France's Sébastien Hinault (Crédit Agricole) wins stage 10 over Loyd Mondory (AG2R La Mondiale), r, and Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto). Spain's Oscar Freire (Rabobank), r.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) in the combination jersey.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) keeps his grip on the leader's jersey.

Stage 9 - September 8: Viella - Sabiñánigo , 198 km

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Images by AFP

• Egoi Martinez De Esteban (Euskaltel - Euskadi) moved into the golden fleece after the 147km long break.
• Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) takes his biggest career victory to date, among some very talented riders.
• That will keep the critic's silent!
• Van Avermaet took his first Grande Tour stage ahead of Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) & Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni (Rabobank).
• Champage is just part of the spoils for the winner.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) leads the escape.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) in the day's move.
• Winner of stage eight, David Moncoutié (Cofidis)
• The sprint... for stage nine.
• Belgium's Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) presented on the podium as the day's winner.
• Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) wins Vuelta a España stage nine to Sabiñánigo.
• Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (Silence-Lotto) takes the 63rd Vuelta a España stage nine
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) moves into the red mountains jersey.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) surrounded by the media.
• The maillot oro waits for Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi).
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) takes the gold.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) in the maillot oro.

Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• Sylvain Chavanel was happy to have spend two days in yellow and is seeing some improvement in his long climbs.
• Oscar Freire have his opinion on today's start which went uphill immediately for 12 kilometres.
• Johan Bruyneel is generally pleased with the situation of Astana in the race.

Stage 8 - September 7: Andorra - Pla de Beret , 160 km

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Images by AFP

• David Moncoutié (Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone) wins in the mountains.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) is back in yellow after an earlier stint as leader.
• Kisses for Levi Leipheimer (Astana)
• Stage winner David Moncoutié (Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone) and a rather large bottle of champagne!

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Alberto Contador (Astana)
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia)
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana).
• Marzio Bruseghin (Lampre)
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) and Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) make their way up.
• The view of what was in store for the riders.
• Riders head up one by one.
• Astana strings out the race.
• Twists and turns
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis)
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) leads Levi Leipheimer (Astana), r.
• Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto) looking the worse for wear.
• The long look down Pla de Beret
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) on his way to losing the race lead.
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) wins the stage.
• David Moncoutié (Cofidis) with the victory.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) closes for second.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne)
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre)
• Frenchman David Moncoutié (Cofidis) on the podium.
• Flowers for David Moncoutié (Cofidis)
• USA's Levi Leipheimer (Astana) takes the overall lead.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) in the combined competition jersey.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) in the points jersey.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) explains the day.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre)

Stage 7 - September 6: Barbastro - Andorra, 224 km

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Images by AFP

• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) celebrates his win.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) was not deterred by the weather.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) got the yellow jersey, too!
• Kisses for the man in yellow Alessandro Ballan (Lampre).
• The peltoon on the first day in the Pyrenees
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone) wore yellow going into the day.

Images by Bjorn Haake/Cyclingnews.com

• Alessandro Ballan soloed to victory on a rainy day.
• Marc De Maar (Rabobank) was chasing hard eight kilometres from the finish.
• Mauricio Ardila Cano (Rabobank) leads David Arroyo (Caisse d'Epargne) on the easier part of the climb.
• Arroyo looked a tad tense.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) is out of the saddle while Contador didn't want to look.
• Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank) was in the group as was Valverde (partially hidden, in black on the right) and Chavanel (behind Sastre in yellow).
• Patrice Halgand (Crédit Agricole) struggled up the climb.
• Imanol Erviti (Caisse d'Epargne) preferred his rain jacket on the way up.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Italian Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) heads to the line.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) keeps the wheels turning.
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) gets a gap.
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia)
• Alberto Contador (Astana) leads Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank), l, and Joaquím Rodríguez (Caisse d'Epargne).
• Alberto Contador (Astana) is about to attack.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) closes to the line behind Mauricio Ardila Cano (Rabobank).
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) riding in, but about to lose the maillot oro.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) comes in with some time loss.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre)
• Matthew Lloyd (Silence-Lotto)
• Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank)
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis)
• Andreas Klöden (Astana)
• World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) looks to another day.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) comes though the mist to claim the stage and the race overall.
• Italy's Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) gets some warmth after a hard stage.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) presented on the podium
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) takes the overall lead in the 63rd Vuelta a España.
• Italy's Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) salutes the crowd.

Stage 6 - September 4: Ciudad Real - Toledo , 162 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Paolo Bettini took his first 2008 Vuelta stage win.
• Gilbert looked like he could pull it off but Bettini stormed ast the Belgian.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) took over the overall lead by winning 12 seconds in two sprints.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Several of Crédit Agricole's riders attempted to break away in the closing kilometres.
• All eyes were on the Quick Step and Astana teams as they started driving up the climb.
• Even Quick Step was nervous about what Alberto Contador (Astana) was up to at the front of the bunch.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) limited his loss on the stage to six seconds, but still fell out of the leader's jersey.
• The peloton had no time to enjoy the views on today's stage.
• Sprint time: The heavy hitters wind up as the line draws near.
• Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) looks over but Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) has already claimed the victory.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) celebrates as his squad makes up for its disappointing Tour de France.
• World beater: Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) is clearly in fine form ahead of this month's UCI World Road Championships.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre), Xavier Florencio Cabre (Bouygues Telecom) and Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) roll across the line in the front group.
• All smiles: Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) enjoys adding another win to his collection.
• Warm embrace: Paolo Bettini and Quick Step team-mate Tom Boonen celebrate the victory.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) shows off his new sword.
• Give me my long sword: Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) shows off his new silverware of a different nature.
• Excalibur: Okay, so Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) isn't British, and it's not the 1500s, but the sword is impressive nonetheless.
• 'Oh yeah, here comes the bubbly...who wants some?'
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) once more shakes the 'World Champion curse' as well as the champagne.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone) found himself in the leader's jersey by day's end.
• France's Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone) ensured it wasn't only the Tour de France that his countrymen have led this year.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• There were 20 in the bunch and the little one said, 'fall over fall over': The peloton took a hard fall on Stage 6.

Stage 5 - September 3: Ciudad Real - Ciudad Real (ITT) , 40 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Levi Leipheimer continued his great form in the time trials and after an Olympic bronze won the Vuelta TT and moved into the overall lead.
• Sylvain Chavanel showed why he is the French champion as he was beaten only by 12 seconds.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) powers to a fourth place and moved from 24th to fifth overall
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) had a good ride and moved into third overall, 30 seconds back.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) enjoys a nice gentle ride through the countryside...at 50.0490 kilometres per hour.
• Heads down...Levi Leipheimer (Astana) gives it his all, and takes all the accolades as a result.
• Igor Anton Hernandez (Euskaltel - Euskadi) took 38th spot.
• Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Caisse d'Epargne) rode to a solid fifth position.
• Belgian Tom Boonen (Quick Step) pulled out all the stops to finish 13th.
• Martin Velits (Milram) rides on past Jeremy Hunt (Crédit Agricole).
• Manuel Quinziato (Liquigas) posted a solid third fastest time.
• Sebastian Lang (Gerolsteiner) was inside the top five after the first time check, but ended up in 10th place.
• A Milram rider rolls off into the distance, with his team car in tow.
• Tour time trial sensation Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) could only pull out an 11th place.
• Andreas Klöden made it three Astana riders in the top 15, with his 12th place.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) dropped nearly four minutes on the time trial.
• All eyes were on Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana) but he just missed out on a podium finish.
• While he missed the podium Alberto Contador Velasco (Astana) is sitting pretty on general classification.
• Spain's Carlos Sastre (Team CSC - Saxo Bank) rode in 15th place.
• Toe the line: Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone) claimed second spot, 12 seconds behind the winner.
• Italian Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) looked smooth, but lost five minutes.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) enjoyed his last day in the leader's jersey, with the rider losing nearly three minutes as he claimed 50th spot.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) finished 29th.
• Oscar Freire Gomez (Rabobank) finished 5.28 minutes back in 119th spot.
• Russian Mikhail Ignatiev (Tinkoff Credit Systems) had the second quickest time after the first time check, but tumbled to 16th by the finish.
• Belgian Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux) was one of the slowest over the course.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) holds 18th on general classification.
• German Erik Zabel (Team Milram) is fourth in the points classification.
• Mikhail Ignatiev (Tinkoff Credit Systems) is chased by an impressive team car.
• Dutchman Robert Gesink (Rabobank) only droped 2.08 minutes.
• Ezequiel Mosquera Miguez (Xacobeo Galicia) was strong, finishing 28th on the stage.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) holds his strong time trial position, all the way to the finish.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) is chased by his team car...and a few other vehicles.
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC-Saxo Bank) is watched by some VIPs in the car behind.
• Ireland's Nicolas Roche (Crédit Agricole) finished 3.23 minutes behind.
• Italy's Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) nears the end of the time trial.
• Erik Zabel is stalked by the Milram team car.
• Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Caisse d'Epargne) didn't disappoint on lookers as he rode to third place overall.
• As the race leader Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) had plenty of people watching how he went.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) dropped down to eighth overall.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) takes to the podium after his strong time trial win.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) celebrates his time trial win.
• American Levi Leipheimer (Astana) kisses his trophy, after winning the event's first individual time trial.
• Celebration time: Levi Leipheimer (Astana) sprays some success around on the podium.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) also claimed the overall lead after the time trial.
• USA rider Levi Leipheimer (Astana) leads the Grand Tour after today's stage.
• Sealed with a kiss: Levi Leipheimer (Astana) is all smiles as he takes the Vuelta lead.

Stage 4 - September 2: Córdoba - Puertollano , 153 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) celebrates his win in stage four.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) wins the stage.
• Bubbly time for Bennati after winning stage four.
• Kisses for the yellow jersey wearer Daniele Bennati (Liquigas)
• The peloton rolls along.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The riders round the final corner as the sprinters hit the gas.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) pats Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) on the back before they reach the line, knowing the Italian has him beat.
• Celebration time: Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) finally gets his fourth Vuelta stage win after missing out on the previous day.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) celebrates his stage victory over Tom Boonen (Quick Step).
• Italian Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) continues to celebrate as he heads on past.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) throws his fist in the air after winning the fourth stage, his fourth Vuelta win.
• Daniele Bennati greets a team-mate after the finish line.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) came in 12 seconds back, but looked as though he'd really worked for the time.
• Liquigas riders congratulate one another after learning their man brought home a win for the team.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) rolls in a disappointing 2.13 minutes behind.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) gets on the podium as a stage winner.
• Champagne shower: Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) bursts the bubbly on the podium.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) continues to lead the Vuelta after his Stage 4 victory.
• Mmmwah! Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) expects to lose the leader's jersey tomorrow, but he's enjoying it for now.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) puts on the jersey of the Combinada classification leader.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) acknowledges the fans from the podium.
• Italian Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) celebrates in the leader's jersey.
• Gerolsteiner riders stick together on one of the small climbs.
• A bunch of riders make their way up a climb on Stage 4.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• One down, more to come: Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) was happy with a stage win, but he's not done, according to the Italian.
• Dutch rider Robert Gesink (Rabobank) lost 42 seconds on Stage 4.
• Liquigas controls the action out front knowing their man is in strong form for a bunch sprint.
• José Antonio Lopez Gil (Andalucía - Cajasur) won the first two lots of sprint points.
• The peloton makes its way across a large plain.
• Thirsty Paolo? World road champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) carries a full load of drink bottles.
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC-Saxo Bank) shows a little leg after getting caught up in a crash in the closing kilometres.

Stage 3 - September 1: Jaén - Córdoba , 165 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) sprints to victory in stage three.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) with his winning salute
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) wears yellow after stage three.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Manuel Ortega (Andalucía-Cajasur) riders solo.
• World Champion Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) charges after the escapee.
• The peloton races along in stage three.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) riding in the race leader's top.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis)
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) in the points leader's jersey.
• Philippe Gilbert (Française des Jeux)
• The bunch kick.
• Belgium's Tom Boonen (Quick Step) confirms.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) satisfied with his win in stage three of the Vuelta a España.
• Tom Boonen (Quick Step) awarded for his efforts after stage three of the Vuelta a España.
• Goofy hat time... Tom Boonen (Quick Step) on the Vuelta a España stage.
• Kisses from the ladies for Tom Boonen (Quick Step)
• Italian Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) takes the stage as GC winner.
• Italy's Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) takes the maillot oro.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) with kisses thanks to claiming the classification.

Images by Unipublic

• Race leader Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne)
• Manuel Ortega (Andalucía-Cajasur)
• Alberto Contador (Astana)
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step)

Stage 2 - August 31: Granada - Jaén , 167 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Valverde celebrates his win
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) sprints away from the others.
• A well deserved drink for the day's winner.
• Valverde wanted to share his joy with everybody.
• The well-deserved podium kisses for Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne).

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Sastre at the sign-in
• Bettini coming down the podium
• Tom Boonen is thinking about a stage victory in the first week.
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) and teammate Andreas Klöden talk tactics before the race.
• Boonen rides to the start
• Alberto Contador (Astana) wants to win the whole race and not juts a stage
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) stretching before the start
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) had a stage victory in mind.
• Pozzato (l) and Paolo Bettini share some pre-race thoughts.
• Joaquin Rodriguez (Caisse d'Epargne, left) with his fearless captain, Alejandro Valverde.
• The bunch waits for the start
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) deep in thought
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) uses the Vuelta as Worlds preparation.
• Rinaldo Nocentini (AG2R La Mondiale) ready to roll
• Erik Zabel all smiles before the start as racing the Vuelta instead of the Deutschland Tour will mean a quieter race for him, media wise.
• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) looks towards the start line
• Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) makes last adjustments to his eye wear.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) wants to close out the season in style.
• Liquigas is a multi-coloured team
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) rides towards the start to defend his jersey.
• Thanks to the prologue win Liquigas holds all the jerseys.
• Pozzato says hi to Valverde before the start.
• The bunch ready to kick off stage two.
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) and Carlos Sastre (Team CSC-Saxo Bank) waiting for the whistle
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) during his break attempt
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) during his solo break
• Martínez tried to stay away but was caught before the line.
• Mikhail Ignatiev (Tinkoff Credit Systems) out of the saddle
• The Liquigas -led bunch
• Bennati and Pozzato in white and yellow, respectively
• Pozzato storms by
• Valverde jumps on the left
• Ricardo Serrano (Tinkoff Credit Systems) tries to get into the slipstream but comes up short.
• Valverde continues to hold the lead...
• ... and realises before the line that his gutsy jump paid off.
• Valverde celebrates the win.
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) starts the Tour of Spain like he did start the Tour de France.
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC-Saxo Bank) grimaces as the last part of the race was very fast.
• Bettini was beaten and the Italian was disappointed that he couldn't pull off the win in a finish that should have suited him well.
• A sweaty Boonen was happy to be in the finish despite not having won.
• Contador thought the race was very nervous today
• Pozzato lost the jersey but not his tattoo
• Caisse celebrates
• Valverde was happy that wife and son were waiting at the finish.
• Valverde on the podium
• His win gave Valverde the golden jersey also
• Valverde distanced everyone including Rebellin.
• Valverde on the podium
• Valverde gets yellow.

Images by Unipublic

• The peloton organises itself.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) drives the break with Cyril Lemoine (Crédit Agricole), Mikhail Ignatiev (Tinkoff Credit Systems) and Jesús Rosendo (Andalucía-Cajasur) in tow.
• Liquigas drives the day.
• German Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) rides in the peloton.
• Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
• Xabier Zandio (Caisse d'Epargne) tries his luck.
• Race leader Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) and Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) share a word.
• Sprawling landscape in southern Spain.
• Alberto Contador (Astana) looks calm before the finale.
• Jesús Rosendo (Andalucía-Cajasur) drives the two-man move with Egoi Martínez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) in the final kilometres.
• Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) wins stage two of the 63rd Vuelta a España.
• Spain's Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) took the overall lead after winning stage two.

Stage 1 - August 30: Granada - Granada (TTT) , 7 km

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Images by AFP Photo

• The rest of the Liquigas team can't hold Pozzato's wheel as he sprints to the line to take the golden jersey.
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) hits the line first to take the lead in the Vuelta a Espana.
• The Liquigas team scorched the 7.7km course with an 8'21 - over 55kph.
• Liquigas ended the race with five riders.
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) cracks open the bubbly.
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) takes the first golden jersey.
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) steps up to the lead of the Vuelta.
• Euskaltel-Euskadi took a surprising second just eight seconds behind Liquigas.
• Alejandro Valverde leads the Caisse d'Epargne team in the stage one team time trial.

Images by Roberto Bettini/www.bettiniphoto.net

• Milram charges
• Italy's Liquigas sat an early fast time that could not be broken.
• Tinkoff Credit Systems posted an early fast time.
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) leads his team.
• Euskaltel-Euskadi rode impressively to finish second best.
• Team CSC-Saxo Bank rode to fifth.
• Caisse d'Epargne finished third.
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) takes the first leaders jersey of the 63rd Vuelta a España.
• Italy's Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) waves to the crowd.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) will be looking for sprint wins.
• Alessandro Ballan (Lampre) just had a good race in the GP Plouay.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre) is building for the World Championships.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) next to Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner).
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner)
• Igor Antón (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis)
• Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne)
• Levi Leipheimer (Astana) skipped the USA Championships to be here.
• Tour champion Carlos Sastre (CSC-Saxo Bank)
• CSC-Saxo Bank starts
• Liquigas presented.
• Liquigas powers up the road.
• Andalucía-Cajasur
• Tinkoff rides hard for a quick time.
• Milram rides.
• Silence-Lotto
• Rabobank with Oscar Freire in tow.
• Quick Step with Tom Boonen.
• Lampre with Damiano Cunego.
• Xacobeo-Galicia
• Gerolsteiner gives it the gas.
• Philippe Gilbert's Française des Jeux team
• French Crédit Agricole
• Another French Team, Cofidis with Sylvain Chavanel.
• Caisse d'Epargne
• French team Bouygues Telecom
• Team Astana
• Astana powers away.
• AG2R La Mondiale
• Erik Zabel (Team Milram) lines up.
• Yaroslav Popovych (Silence-Lotto)
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank)
• Filippo Pozzato (Liquigas) takes the overall lead of the 63rd Vuelta a España.

Route presentation

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• Cordero emphasised that the sport needs a clean, credible and spectacular race
• Victor Cordero reveals the 2008 route which will favour the climbers
• The Vuelta's big names Alejandro Valverde, Carlos Sastre, 2007 winner Denis Menchov, Oscar Pereiro and Alberto Contador
• Valverde, Sastre Contador and Pereiro pose at the route presentation
• Riders pose in front of the route for the 2008 Vuelta
• The 2008 Vuelta route is a colourful backdrop for a photo op
• Tour winner Alberto Contador discusses the route with Manuel Beltran
• Alejandro Valverde seems happy with the route, while Oscar Pereiro wasn't as thrilled

Images by Shane Stokes/Cyclingnews

• 2006 Tour de France winner Oscar Pereiro at the launch of the 2008 Vuelta a Espana in Madrid, 5 December 2007.
• Pereiro was playing down his chances of winning next year's Vuelta, saying that the course was too mountainous for him.
• He said that he was likely to play a team role.
• Caisse d'Epargne stablemate Alejandro Valverde was more upbeat, saying that the tough course would suit his characteristics.
• Valverde's best finish was second overall in 2006.
• Like Pereiro, he was in demand with the Spanish radio, TV and print journalists.
• This year's Vuelta runner-up Carlos Sastre.
• The friendly Spaniard was also happy with the profile of the 2008 race.
• He was very aggressive in the mountains during this year's race and if he is in the same form next season, could well win his first Grand Tour.
• Vuelta race organiser Victor Cordero.
• The Spaniard said that he hopes for a return to 'credible cycling'.
• Cordero agrees that the 2008 route favours climbers over time trialists.