38th Vuelta al Pais Vasco, Cat HC

Spain, April 6-10, 1998

Stage 1      Stage 2      Stage 3      Stage 4      Stage 5a      Stage 5b

Stage 1, Hondarribia - Hondarribia, 116 kms:

  1. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE-Deutsche Bank	             3.01.49 (38.280)
  2. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Polti				s.t.
  3. Vladimir Belli (Ita) Festina				s.t.
  4. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis				s.t.
  5. Alberto Elli (Ita) Casino					0.18
  6. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros 			0.18
  7. David Etxeberria (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank			0.18
  8. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank					0.18
  9. Laurent Dufaux (Swi) Festina 				0.18
 10. Andrea Peron (Ita) La Francaise des Jeux			0.18
 11. Mikel Zarrabeitia Uranga (Spa) ONCE 			0.18
 12. Jose Luis Arrieta Lujambio (Spa) Banesto			0.18
 13. Ramon Gonzalez Arrieta (Spa) Euskatel-Euskadi 		0.18
 14. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 		0.18
 15. Andrea Noč (Ita) Asics					0.18
 16. Alex Zülle (Swi) Festina					0.18
 17. Unai Osa Eizaguirre (Spa) Banesto 				0.18
 18. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank				0.18
 19. Peter Luttenberger (Aut) Rabobank				0.18
 20. Inigo Cuesta Lopez De (Spa) ONCE 				0.18
 21. Santiago Blanco Gil (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros 		0.18
 22. Marcelino Garcia Alonso (Spa) ONCE 			0.18
 23. Aitor Garmendia Arbilla (Spa) Banesto 			0.18
 24. Massimo Donati (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale 			0.18
 25. Manuel Fernandez Gines (Spa) Banesto 			0.18
 26. Paolo Bettini (Ita) Asics 					0.23
 27. Francesco Frattini (Ita) Telekom-ARD 			0.23
 31. Pascal Richard (Swi) Casino				0.23
 45. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei 					0.23
 46. Rodolfo Massi (Ita) Casino 				0.23
 51. Abraham Olano (Spa) Banesto				0.23
 52. Nicola Miceli (Ita) Riso Scotti-MG 			0.23
 63. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale 				0.23
 64. Fabio Malberti (Ita) Asics 				0.23
 65. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi 		0.23
 67. Luc Leblanc (Fra) Polti					0.23
 68. Richard Virenque (Fra) Festina				0.23
 70. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale 			0.23
 71. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei 				0.23
 73. Mauro Gianetti (Swi) La Francaise des Jeux 		0.54
 77. Gianni Faresin (Ita) Mapei 				4.26
 80. Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale 			5.17
 81. Claudio Chiappucci (Ita) Ros Mary - Amica Chips 		5.52
 92. Stefano Zanini (Ita) Mapei 				5.52
101. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone         			6.08
103. Massimo Podenzana (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi 		6.08
105. Roberto Conti (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi 			6.08
106. Evgueni Berzin (Rus) La Francaise des Jeux 		6.08
116. Fabian Jeker (Swi) Festina 				6.45
125. Alexander Moos (Swi) Saeco-Cannondale			6.45
120. Armin Meier (Swi) Festina  				6.45
130. Roberto Pistore (Ita) Riso Scotti-MG 			6.45
136. Dario Frigo (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale 			6.45
137. Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) Polti 				6.45
140. Felice Puttini (Swi) Ros Mary - Amica Chips 		6.45
142. Gianni Bugno (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi				7.21
152. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Telekom             			7.21
167. Stephane Petilleaux (Fra) GAN	                       17.04

167 Classified

Brief

Frenchman Laurent Jalabert (ONCE-Deutsche Bank) is the first leader of the 38th edition of la Vuelta al País Vasco after winning the sprint for the first stage which started and finished in Hondarribia. Jalabert finished with the same time as Italians Davide Rebellin, Wlamidir Belli and Francesco Casangrande, while a first peloton led by Italian Alberto Elli came in 18 seconds behind. Notable absences from this second group were Olano and Ullrich.

The stage was more decisive than expected, as a consequence of a fall that happened during the descent from alto de Erlaiz, with 20 kms to go. The crash involved Zulle and his teammate Belli and Jalabert and occurred while they were in a break with Casagrande and Rebellin. Zulle had further bad luck when he punctured and had to change a rear wheel. He never regained contact with the top group. The chasing peloton was not aggressive and the four were left to contest the sprint alone.

The big player of the stage was Viscayan Roberto Laiseka, from Team Euskaltel, who took off at km 24, opening a gap as big as 5 minutes, only to be neutralized at km 61, due to the excellent work by Festina. Festina was the watchdog, countering attack. They were especially vigilant when Juan Carlos Domínguez (Vitalicio Seguros) attacked. Festina riders were blocking the race, even though there was a category 2 climb, the alto de Erlaiz, with slopes of up to 10%, located at 20 kms from the finish.

The first over the top was Laurent Jalabert, with a 12 second advantage over the quartet (Zulle, Casagrande, Belli and Rebellin) who caught him on the descent just before the crash. Olano and Ullrich passed the mountain top 2 minutes later. Jalabert, Rebellin, Belli and Casagrande reached the streets of Hondabirria with a half a minute advantage over a peloton which was being pulled by Banesto for Garmendia and which included Zulle and Spaniard Roberto Heras.

In the sprint for the leading group Jalabert took advantage of the marking by Rebellín and Casagrande and the slight incline to grab some meters, to take the stage and the first leader's jersey.

The 2nd stage tomorrow will be between Hondarribia and Balmaseda and is the longest of this year's tour. It is considered the 'King Stage' with 239 kms and 10 mountain climbs. The Mountain Prizes will be: Gurutze Berri (Cat 3 at km 6), Bidaia (2 at km 49), Elosua (2 at km 82), Ascensión (2 at km 101), Urkiola (1 at km 132), Bikotx (2 at km 164), Garate (3 at km 186), San Cosme (3 at km 201), Humaran (3 at km 210) & Beci (3 at km 226).

Stage 2, Hondarribia and Balmaseda, 239 kms:

  1. Bo Hamburger (Den) Casino 			             6.57.00 
  2. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank					s.t.
  3. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis				0.02
  4. Dario Frigo (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale				0.02
  5. Laurent Jalabert (Frae) ONCE				0.02
  6. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio-Seguros			0.02
  7. Peter Luttenberger (Aut) Rabobank 				0.02
  8. Alberto Elli (Ita) Casino 					0.02
  9. Michael Boogard (Ned) Rabobank 				0.02
 10. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto				0.02
 11. Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita) Mapei 
 12. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi
 14. Vladimir Belli (Ita) Festina
 15. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca
 16. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 17. Alex Zülle (Swi) Festina					0.07
 40. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei					3.33
 47. Richard Virenque (Fra) Festina
 48. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 67. Claudio Chiappucci (Ita) Ros Mary - Amica Chips 		0.17
 77. Abraham Olano (Spa) Banesto
106. Gianni Bugno (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi
112. Evgueni Berzin (Rus) La Francaise des Jeux
118. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone
145. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Telekom			               22.13

Started 167
Finished 163
Retired - Petilleau (Fra), Richard (Swi), Detilloux (Fra) and De Paoli (Ita)

GC after Stage 2: 

  1. Laurent Jalabert (Frae) ONCE			     9.58.51
  2. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis				s.t.
  3. Valdimir Belli (Italy) Festina				s.t.
  4. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank					0.16
  5. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio-Seguros			0.18
  6. Alberto Elli (Ita) Casino 					0.18
  7. Peter Luttenberger (Aut) Rabobank 				0.18
  8. Michael Boogard (Ned) Rabobank 				0.18
  9. Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca			0.18
 10. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto				0.18
 11. Bo Hamburger (Dan) 					0.21
 12. Andrea Peron (Ita) La Francaise des Jeux 			0.23
 13. Alex Zülle (Swi) Festina
 14. Laurent Dufaux (Swi) Festina
 15. Andrea Noč (Ita) Asics
 16. Unai Osa Eizaguirre (Spa) Banesto
 17. Ramon Gonzalez Arrieta (Spa) Euskatel-Euskadi
 18. Massimo Donati (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 19. Santiago Blanco Gil (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros
 20. Manuel Fernandez Gines (Spa) Banesto
 21. Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita) Mapei
 22. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi
 24. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 28. Rodolfo Massi (Ita) Casino					0.28
 39. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei					3.54
 46. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 47. Richard Virenque (Fra) Festina
 87. Claudio Chiappucci (Ita) Ros Mary - Amica Chips 	       22.50
109. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone
122. Gianni Bugno (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi
153. Jan Ullrich (Ger) Telekom				       29.32

Brief

Danish rider Bo Hamburger, from Casino won the longest stage of the Tour - 239 kms and 10 categorized climbs. Hamburger, took his second win of the season finishing with a time of 6 hours and 57 minutes. Swiss Beat Zberg recorded the same time and the main group came in 2 seconds behind. There was a long breakaway by Spaniard Chaurreau, who attacked at the 35 km mark and was not caught again until km 165. He had a gap of 14 minutes at one stage with the peloton hardly working. After neutralizing the early attack, the race changed complexion and the attacks came constantly with the most robust coming from Vitalicio (Santiago Blanco), then Juan Carlos Domínguez, and then with German Tobias Steinhauser. Towards the end Ińigo González de Heredia tried to steal the show. Just like Chaurreau's Team Euskaltel Euskadi, things didn't go well for Vitalicio, since ONCE had things under control with Cuesta, Zarrabeitia and Jalabert.

The great beneficiary was Bo Hamburger, who took off on a long sprint and wasn't caught. He also benefitted from a fall that ocurred a with about a kilometer to go. The worst injured in the fall was Italian Davide Rebellín who was taken to Basuarto Hospital. The only one to react to Hamburger's attack was Zberg. The first group came in 2 seconds behind (except for Rebellin). Others like Abraham Olano and Russian Eugeni Berzin lost 17 minutes, while Jan Ullrich came in with the last group, concedingp 22.13 minutes.

The 3rd stage is between Balmaseda and Viana over 212 kms with the following climbs: Menagaray (Cat 3, km 17), Orduńa (1, km 38), Bernedo (3, km 120), Aguilar de Codes (3, km 134) amd Nuevamente Aguilar de Codes (3, km 198).

Hamburger's words at the finish line were: "I can't believe what I've done". At the start of the stage he didn't expect to get too far. "It has been very difficult. Plus, I wasn't going well at all for the first 200 kms."

To win in the most important stage of the Vasque race doesn't make him a favourite: "Casino's Elli is my choice. I'm not going well enough to threaten the GC. This year I have trained less in the Winter than other years. The time trial is not too difficult and that's why I won't count for the overall".

Jalabert was also satisfied because he was able to "maintain the differences in the overall with his rivals, which is always good". The race leader, who was affected by his fall on Monday, suffering from pains on his left side of his body, didn't seem upset about giving up the stage win: "The best way to maintain the overall is to win the stage, but one can't do everything". Jalabert did criticize those that only held his wheel during the whole day yesterday. "When you have so many people on your wheel, just watching you, it's very difficult to move. Whoever wants to win, let them make the effort and take off. I'm not going to tire myself so that somebody else will take the stage", he said in reference to Casagrande. "I've seen him very strong but if he wants to win he must get his teammates to help him. I'm not going to do it, because in this tough race, recuperation is very important", he finished. 

Bo Hamburger
DOB: 05/04/70
Place of Birth: Frederiksburg (Denmark).
Status: Married.
Pro since: 1991.
Victories as a Pro: 9
Palmares: World's Sub-champion (1997); stage winner at
the Tour (1994)  Circuit of the Flemish Ardennes
(1994); Wateringen (1994), Heule (1994), Aarhus (1995)
and stages at the Tour of Denmark (1995), Volta a
Catalunya (1997) & Comunidad Valenciana (1998)

Stage 3, Balmaseda - Viana, 212 kms:

  1. Pascal Herve (Fra) Festina 			     5.18.46
  2. Inigo Cuesta (Spa) ONCE					0.01
  3. Stefano Zanini (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi 			1.38
  4. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno 			1.38
  5. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE 				1.38
  6. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis 			1.38
  7. Francesco Frattini (Ita) Telekom 				1.38
  8. Bo Hamburger (Den) Casino 					1.38
  9. Alberto Elli (Ita) Casino 					1.38
 10. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank					1.38
 11. Geert Verheyen (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 
 12. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi 
 13. Luc Leblanc (Fra) Polti
 14. Claudio Chiappucci (Ita) Ros Mary - Amica Chips
 15. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio-Seguros
 24. Dario Frigo (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 27. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 34. Valdimir Belli (Italy) Festina
 39. Alex Zülle (Swi) Festina
 49. Richard Virenque (Fra) Festina 
 54. Fabio Malberti (Ita) Asics
 57. Rodolfo Massi (Ita) Casino
 59. Gianni Faresin (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi
 60. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 64. Nicola Miceli (Ita) Riso Scotti-MG
 72. Axel Merckx (Bel) Polti
 73. Evgueni Berzin (Rus) La Francaise des Jeux
 77. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei-Bricobi
 78. Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 79. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone
 80. Gianni Bugno (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi
106. Abraham Olano (Spa) Banesto 				6.55
116. Giuseppe Guerini (Ita) Polti
143. Nicola Minali (Ita) Riso Scotti			       20.39
147. Filippo Simeoni (Ita) Asics 			       27.11

Started 161
Finished 147
Abandoned: Ullrich, Fondriest, Dotti and Heulot
Outside time limit: Cagigas and Bermejo

GC after Stage 3: 

  1. Inigo Cuesta (Spa) ONCE			            15.18.28
  2. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE				0.51
  3. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis				0.51
  4. Valdimir Belli (Ita) Festina				0.51
  5. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank					1.07
  6. Alberto Elli (Ita) Casino 					1.09
  7. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio-Seguros			1.09
  8. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 				1.09
  9. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto 				1.09
 10. Peter Luttenberger (Aut) Robobank				1.09
 11. Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca
 12. Bo Hamburger (Dan) 					1.12
 13. Andrea Noč (Ita) Asics					1.14
 14. Laurent Dufaux (Swi) Festina
 15. Andrea Peron (Ita) La Francaise des Jeux
 16. Alex Zülle (Swi) Festina
 17. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi
 21. Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi
 24. Massimo Donati (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 25. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 30. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi 			1.19
 40. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei-Bricobi				4.45
 43. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 81. Claudio Chiappucci (Ita) Ros Mary - Amica Chips           23.41
 87. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone

Brief

Jan Ullrich abandoned after 30 kms today. He said to reporters: "I don't have a good condition."

ONCE rider Inigo Cuesta, who lives near the stage finish in Burgos is 51 seconds ahead of his teammate Laurent Jalabert. Both of them broke away with Herve and another just after 100 kms into the stage. With 30 kms to go, Herve was taking a sit from Cuesta, and they were clear on a group of 79 chasers (at 3.00).

With 25 km to go 4 riders are leading: Herve, Jeker, Cuesta and Ramon Gonzalez Arieta. With two climbs to go Cuesta and Herve drop the other two with the peloton at 2.48". With one climb left there were two leaders and the peloton was at 2.00".

12 kms from the finish as they were descending the final climb the chasing group became serious and the key players were Claudio Chiappucci and Luc Leblanc who tried to run down the pair on their own. Leblanc faltered and Chiappucci charged. He was caught by the main peloton just before the finish with Mapei's Stefano Zanini taking third place, 1.58 down on Herve.

Stage 4, Viana - Vitoria, 187 kms:

  1. Alberto Elli (Ita) Casino 				    5.14.10
  2. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE 
  3. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis 
  4. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank 
  5. Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi 
  6. Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 
  7. Andrea Noe (Ita) Asics 
  8. Valdimir Belli (Ita) Festina 
  9. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio-Seguros 
 10. Armin Meier (Swi) Festina
 11. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 12. Aitor Garmendia Arbilla (Spa) Banesto
 13. Unai Osa Eizaguirre (Spa) Banesto
 14. Pascal Herve (Fra) Festina
 15. Nicola Miceli (Ita) Riso Scotti-MG
 17. Dario Frigo (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale
 18. Luc Leblanc (Fra) Polti
 19. Gonzalez Galdeano (Spa)
 20. Udo Bolts (Ger) Telekom-ARD
 27. Alex Zülle (Swi) Festina
 30. Rodolfo Massi (Ita) Casino
 33. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei-Bricobi
 34. Evgueni Berzin (Rus) La Francaise des Jeux
 35. Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                  all s.t.
 49. Gianni Faresin (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi				2.19
 60. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone 				7.32
 65. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale				7.32
 66. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi			7.32
 87. Fabio Malberti (Ita) Asics 			       14.23
116. Gianni Bugno (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi 			       18.09

Started 146
Finished 133
Retired: 13 
(inc. Zanini (Ita), Garzelli (Ita), Olano (Spa), Merckx (Bel), Boardman (GB).

GC after Stage 4: 

  1. Inigo Cuesta (Spain) ONCE                              20.32.38
  2. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE				0.51
  3. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis				0.51
  4. Valdimir Belli (Ita) Festina				0.51
  5. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank					1.07
  6. Alberto Elli (Ita) Casino					1.09
  7. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio-Seguros			1.09
  8. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 				1.09
  9. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto 				1.09
 10. Peter Luttenberger (Au) Robobank				1.09
 12. Andrea Noč (Ita) Asics 					1.14
 15. Alex Zülle (Swi) Festina
 32. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei-Bricobi 				4.45
 48. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale 			       12.17
 72. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone 			       31.13

Brief

Italian Alberto Elli (Casino) outsprinted 34 other riders in finale to win the 4th stage of the Tour of the Basque Country to retain his 6th place on GC. He has figured in the top 10 on each stage of the Tour so far. Local rider, Inigo Cuesta, who hail from Burgos, kept the GC and his teammate Laurent Jalabert is his nearest threat at 0.51. The stage was marked by constant rain and 13 riders retired - most notable being Chris Boardman (who is still unfit) and Abraham Olano (another local rider).

With one stage to go, it looks like Cuesto will win this Tour.

Although the stage came down to a mass sprint an early attack by Martin den Bakker (Rabobank) with a small bunch of riders livened things up. They ained a maximum gap of 2 minutes on the peloton at around the 90 kms mark of the stage. There was no panic in the peloton and with 40 kms to go and on the final climb, they were reeled back in.

Stage 5a, Vitoria - Hernani, 108 kms:

  1. Jens Voigt (Ger) GAN			             2.24.16
  2. Paul Van Hyfte (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar 			1.37
  3. Jörg Jakschee (Ger) Polti  				1.56
  4. Paolo Bettini (Ita) Asics 					7.27
  5. Laurent Jalabert (France) ONCE				7.27 
  6. Christian Henn (Ger) Telekom 				7.27
  7. David Etxeberria (Spa) ONCE 				7.27
  8. Bo Hamburger (Den) Casino 					7.27
  9. Marcelino Garcia (Spa) ONCE 				7.27
 10. Geert Verheyen (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar   			7.27
 11. Claudio Chiappucci (Ita) Ros Mary - Amica Chips		7.27 
 ..
 34. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis   			7.27   			 
 36. Alex Zülle (Swi) Festina   				7.27
 62. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale   			7.27 
 90. Gianni Bugno (Ita) Mapei-Bricobi   			7.27

 Peloton at 7.27

Retired: Pavel Tonkov (Rus) and Marco Pantani (Ita)

GC after Stage 5a: 

  1. Inigo Cuesta (Spain) ONCE				    23.04.21
  2. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE				0.51
  3. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis				0.51
  4. Valdimir Belli (Ita) Festina				0.51
  5. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank					1.07
  6. Alberto Elli (Ita) Casino					1.09
  7. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio-Seguros			1.09
  8. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 				1.09
  9. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto 				1.09
 10. Peter Luttenberger (Au) Robobank				1.09

Stage 5b, Hernani - Hernani, ITT, 25 kms:

  1. Laurent Jalabert (France) ONCE		               32.38
  2. Inigo Cuesta (Spa) ONCE     				0.48
  3. Alex Zulle (Swi) Festina     				1.10
  4. Jose Luis Rubiera (Spa) Kelme      			1.22
  5. Juan Dominguez (Spa) Vitalicio     			1.26
  6. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank  				1.28
  7. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto      			1.29
  8. Maarten den Bakker (Ned) Rabobank  			1.37
  9. Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spa) ONCE       			1.40
 10. Rodolfo Massi (Ita) Casino         			1.56
 ..
 14. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale 			2.05
 24. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Festina 				2.39
 26. Fabio Malberti (Ita) Asics  				2.40
 40. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis 			3.18
 67. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale 				4.31

Final GC 

  1. Inigo Cuesta (Spa) ONCE     		             23.37.47
  2. Laurent Jalabert (France) ONCE				 0.03
  3. Alex Zulle (Swi) Festina     				 1.36
  4. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank  				 1.49
  5. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto      			 1.50
  6. Rodolfo Massi (Ita) Casino         			 2.27
  7. Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spa) ONCE       			 2.29
  8. Paolo Salvodelli (Ita) Saeco     				 2.31
  9. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank  				 2.37
 10. Valdimir Belli (Ita) Festina     				 2.42
 11. Heras		 					 2.47
 12. Luc Leblanc (Fra) Polti 					 2.53
 13. Bölts		 					 2.57
 14. Daniel Clavero (Spa) Vitalicio-Seguros			 3.00
 15. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi			 3.12
 16. A. Osa		 					 3.17
 17. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Cofidis				 3.21
 18. Peter Luttenberger (Aut) Rabobank				 3.23
 19. Noé			 				 3.25
 20. Elli			 			 	 3.29
 21. I. Gonzalez-Galdeano	 				 3.43
 22. Blanco Gil	 						 3.45
 23. Uria			 				 4.04
 24. Donati		 					 4.25
 25. Dufaux							 5.04
 26. Bo Hamburger (Den) Casino					 5.24
 27. Steinhauser	 					 6.03
 28. Bobrik		 					 6.36
 29. Garcia Alonso 						 6.39
 30. Escartin		 					 7.24
 31. Rubiera		 					 7.31
 32. Verbrugghe	 					 	 8.36
 33. Gonzalez-Arrieta 						 9.03
 34. Totschnig	 						 9.35
 35. Richard Virenque (Fra) Festina		 		 9.36
 36. Aparicio		 					 9.52
 37. Odriozola							10.30
 38. Piepoli							10.48
 39. Fernandez Ginčs 						10.56
 40. Laukka							12.01
 41. Hervé							12.03
 42. A. Meier							13.10
 43. Faresin							15.25
 44. Ivan Gotti (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale		               	18.00
 45. Garcia Marquina 						18.10
 46. D. Etxebarria 						18.54
 47. Atienza							23.34
 48. Jaksche							23.43
 49. Gonzalez Heredia 						24.01
 50. Shefer							24.05
 51. Miceli							24.59
 52. Goubert							25.44
 53. Berzin							26.26
 54. Julich							26.54
 55. Jeker							27.11
 56. Aiarzaguena						28.07
 57. Vasseur							28.26
 58. Verheyen							28.38
 59. Van de Wouwer 						28.59
 60. Arrieta							29.23
 61. Vicario							30.07
 62. Jens Voigt (Ger) GAN					31.27
 63. Martin Den Bakker (Ned) Rabobank				32.55
 64. Bettini							33.26
 65. Lopez de Munain 						34.06
 66. Leanizbarrutia  						34.09
 67. Malberti							34.27
 68. Chaurreau							35.12
 69. Figueras							35.34
 70. Dominguez							36.07
 71. J. Otxoa							36.15
 72. Van Hyfte							37.23
 73. A. Gonzalez Galdeano 					38.26
 74. De Wolf							40.48
 75. Brignoli							41.03
 76. Teteriuk							42.33
 77. Gonzalez Gutierrez						43.06
 78. Benitez							43.29
 79. O. Pozzi							44.17
 80. Laiseka							44.53
 81. Gianetti							45.42
 82. Fernandez Bustinza						46.42
 83. Chiappucci							47.13
 84. Gougot							47.20
 85. Blaudzun							47.25
 86. Mauleon							48.11
 87. Bugno							48.59
 88. Forconi							49.11
 89. Codol							49.39
 90. Peschel							53.06
 91. Latasa							53.56
 92. Podenzana							54.22
 93. Villanueva							56.01
 94. G. Valoti							57.01
 95. Botero							57.29
 96. Borgheresi					              1.00.18
 97. Faverio					              1.00.57
 98. Conti					              1.01.43
 99. Lotz					              1.01.52
100. Sciandri					              1.02.20
101. Turicchia					              1.04.07
102. Hinault					              1.04.40
103. Coppolillo					              1.05.00
104. Gutierrez					              1.07.28
105. Elizburu					              1.07.38

Brief

The Tour of the Basque Country came right down to the wire with ONCE's Inigo Cuesta just holding the leader's jersey and the final overall GC by riding a great final time trial. His teammate, Frenchman Laurent Jalabert had posted a very fast time in the last 25 kms race of truth.

Cuesta started the time trial with a 51 second lead on Jalabert but was favoured to win given Jalabert's strength in the individual discipline. Jalabert was second last to go and had taken 26 seconds out of Cuesta by the first checkpoint at 8.2 kms. The difference between the two further narrowed and by the 17.2 km checkpoint it stood at 18 seconds. Cuesta had the advantage of knowing what he had to do to hold onto the GC and suffered terribly over the closing section of the stage. He held on to take the overall by 3 seconds.

Alex Zulle made up a lot of ground in the GC by taking 3rd place in the ITT. He moved from 15 to 3.

Past Winners

1924	Francis Pélissier (Fra)
1925	Auguste Verdyck (Bel)
1926	Nicolas Frantz (Lux)
1927	Victor Fontan (Fra)
1928	Maurice De Waele (Bel)
1929	Maurice De Waele (Bel)
1930	Mariano Carnado (Spa)
1935	Gino Bartali (Ita)
1939	Mariano Carnado (Spa)
1940	Federico Ezquerra (Spa)
1941	Firmin Trueba (Spa)
1942	Federico Ezquerra (Spa)
1943	Martin Mancisidor (Spa)
1944	José Gandara (Spa)
1945	Miguel Gual (Spa)
1952	Louis Caput (Fra)
1953	Vicente Iturat (Spa)
1954	José Serra (Spa)
1955	José Escolano (Spa)
1956	Jesus Lorono-Arteaga (Spa)
1957	Antonio Barrutia (Spa)
1958	Jesus Lorono-Arteaga (Spa)
1959	Antonio Bertran (Spa)
1960	Benigno Aspuru (Spa)
1961	Antonio Karmany (Spa)
1962	Rolf Wolfshohl (Ger)
1963	Juan-J. Sargaduy (Spa)
1964	Carlos Echeverria (Spa)
1965	Sebastian Elorza (Spa)
1966	Eusebio Velez (Spa)
1967	Carlos Echeverria (Spa)
1968	José-Maria Errandonea (Spa)
1969	Jacques Anquetil (Fra)
1970	Luis-P. Santamarina (Spa)
1971	Luis Ocana (Spa)
1972	Juan-A. Gonzalez-Linares (Spa)
1973	Luis Ocana (Spa)
1974	Miguel-Maria Lasa (Spa)
1975	Juan-A. Gonzalez-Linares (Spa)
1976	Giambattista Baronchelli (Ita) 
1977	Juan-A. Gonzalez-Linares (Spa)
1978	Juan-A. Gonzalez-Linares (Spa)
1979	Giovanni Battaglin (Ita)
1980	Alberto Fernandez (Spa)
1981	Silvano Contini (Ita)
1982	José-Luis Laguia (Spa)
1983	Julian Gorospe (Spa)
1984	Sean Kelly (Ire)
1985	Pello Ruiz-Cabestany (Spa)
1986	Sean Kelly (Ire)
1987	Sean Kelly (Ire)
1988	Erik Breukink (Ned) 
1989	Stephen Roche (Irel)
1990	Julian Gorospe (Spa)
1991	Claudio Chiappucci (Ita)
1992	Tony Rominger (Swi)
1993	Tony Rominger (Swi)
1994	Tony Rominger (Swi)
1995	Alex Zülle (Swi)
1996	Francesco Casagrande (Ita)
1997	Alex Zülle (Swi)
1998	?
Past History comes from Mario Stiehl, Berlin