39th Vuelta al Pais Vasco, HC

Spain, April 5-9, 1999

1998 Results     Main Page    

Stage 5b, Santiago Erreka - Alto de Aia, ITT 8.7 kms:

French cyclist Laurent Jalabert (ONCE-Deutsche Bank) won the 39th edition of the Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco in an emphatic style. He won the last ITT stage over 8.7 kms when he clocked a time of 14.12. Second overall on GC was Wladimir Belli with Davide Rebellin losing time in the ITT and taking dropping to third on GC.

The ITT result came as no surprise. The best Spanish time trial Abraham Olano is not as well-suited to mountain time trials as he is more flat efforts. Jalabert is better suited to this type of profile. Jalabert had taken 10 seconds out of Rebellin at the half way mark of the trial (4.7 kms). Belli too, rode a great time trial and this was forcing Rebellin out of second place.

But the final podium positions were virtually determined on the first day when Laurent Jalabert and Davide Rebellin struck a blow by taking a 20 seconds lead. Jalabert's teammates. especially Abraham Olano and Austrian rider Peter Luttenberger, then controlled the race throughout. Only accident could have stopped Jalabert after the first day. Things became clearer on day 2 when Dutch threat Michael Boogerd fell and lost a few minutes. Both Jalabert and Rebellin, who both like this race, were then riding for the top spot.

Some comments from the Vuelta's big-names:

Marco Pantani - criticised German Jan Ullrich for limiting himself to only one objective in the entire season - the Tour de France. He said: "a champion should not limit himself to one objective. It's a lot easier to prepare for only one race a year because the rest of the year you can take it easy. Everyone has their character. In my case, I don't think that a champion should limit himself to one objective".

Pantani is also worried about the constant falls in racing: "Due to the last fall that I suffered at Setmana Catalana, I am now suffering from a bit of tendinitis and that's why I've decided not to ride the Belgian classics. Luik-Bastenaken-Luik would be good for me to get form but it is also a risky race to participate in and I don't want to endanger my preparation for the Giro".

Referring to the Giro he said: "My only rival will be myself. I respect all my competitors, but my only fear is to reach the race without form due to illness or injuries from a fall." That explains his performance at the or that I suffer a fall or any sickness". That explains his performance at País Vasco. "I didn't come to win. I always try to honour my colors but here the mountains are not favorable for me. Plus, the main things is my preparation for later races".

Laurent Jalabert, who spoke within reach of winning the race (after coming second in 1995, 1996 and 1998) said: "I have confidence in myself and I think that I have a great chance to win now. But in cycling you can't declare victory until the finish. There is still a complicated first sector today but I am hopeful because, in part, my team is working wonderfully to support me. The mountain time trial suits me fine but it is so short that any mechanical difficulties could be decisive. Rebellin isn't my only rival but he is the most dangerous".

Davide Rebellin loves the Vuelta al País Vasco. He said: "I have ridden it every year and in 1996 I was even the leader. But at the last two editions I've had bad luck with falls. Two years ago I injured an elbow and last year I broke a rib. The mountain time trial suits me, but it is also good for Jalabert. Plus it is not all climbing and he is a good specialist. Jalabert is riding strongly, but so am I. We'll have to see what happens". 

  1. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE-Deutsche Bank             14.12.30
  2. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Festina                             19.40
  3. David Etxebarria (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                37.46
  4. Mario Aerts (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                         37.61
  5. Peter Luttenberger (Aut) ONCE-Deutsche Bank              51.36
  6. JuanCarlosDominguez                                      51.36
  7. Niki Aebersold (Swi) Rabobank                            55.57
  8. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi                57.44
  9. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank                           59.17
 10. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Team Polti                       1.00.96
 11. Bingen Fernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi               1.02.55
 12. Iñigo Cuesta (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                  1.07.96
 13. Udo Bölts (Ger) Telekom                                1.11.01
 14. Geert Verheyen (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                    1.11.21
 15. Iñigo Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                1.11.36
 16. Maarten Den Bakker (Ned) Rabobank                      1.11.37
 17. Igor Gonzalez Galdeano (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros         1.11.99
 18. Rik Verbrugghe (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                    1.13.19
 19. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi                 1.15.95
 20. Vladislav Bobrik (Rus) Riso Scotti-Vinavil             1.16.57
 21. Abraham Olano (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                 1.19.84
 22. Sergei Gontchar (Ukr) Vini Caldilora                   1.22.48
 23. Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Rabobank                         1.24.04
 24. Massimo Donati (Ita) Vini Caldilora                    1.25.74
 25. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank                              1.25.95
 26. Massimiliano Gentili (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia        1.28.13
 27. Félix García (Spa) Festina                             1.19.85
 28. Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank                        1.30.94
 29. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step               1.31.62
 30. Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                 1.33.27
 31. Andrea Noé (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step                      1.35.30
 32. Txema Del Olmo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                 1.37.06
 33. Andreas Kloden (Ger) Telekom                           1.37.29
 34. Alberto Lopez De Munain Ruiz (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi   1.39.95
 35. Richard Virenque (Fra) Team Polti                      1.40.89
 36. Felice Puttini (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips         1.41.44
 37. Santiago Blanco (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros                1.43.82
 38. Jorg Jaksche (Ger) Telekom                             1.44.26
 39. José Manuel Uría (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca              1.46.58
 40. José Luis Rubiera Kelme-Costa Blanca                   1.46.60
 41. Stéphane Goubert (Fra) Team Polti                      1.48.59
 42. Aitor Osa (Spa) Banesto                                1.49.46
 43. Daniel Atienza (Ita) Team Polti                        1.56.88
 44. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi           1.57.83
 45. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                 1.58.20
 46. Axel Merckx (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step                     1.59.54
 47. Sébastien Demarbaix (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar               2.03.12
 48. Darío Frigo (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                     2.03.35
 49. Kurt Van de Wouwer (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                2.07.43
 50. Patrick Jonker (Aus) Rabobank                          2.10.29
 51. Unai Osa (Spa) Banesto                                 2.10.51
 52. Carlos Sastre (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                 2.16.12
 53. Roberto Conti (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi              2.20.86
 54. José Miguel Elizburu (Spa) Fuenlabrada                 2.21.83
 55. Daniele De Paoli (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips       2.22.68
 56. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                2.23.10
 57. Javier Otxoa (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                  2.24.49
 58. Vjatceslav Ekimov (Rus) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips      2.25.02
 59. Tobias Steinhauser (Ger) Mapei-Quick Step              2.26.03
 60. Alvaro Gonzalez Galdeano (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros       2.26.45
 61. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto                          2.27.37
 62. Alain Turicchia (Ita) Riso Scotti-Vinavil              2.27.51
 63. Eduardo Hernandez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca             2.29.97
 64. Ramón Gonzalez Arrieta (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi         2.30.15
 65. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips      2.31.85
 66. Eugeni Berzin (Rus) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips          2.32.54
 67. José Luis Arrieta (Spa) Banesto                        2.33.04
 68. Alexandre Moos (Swi) Festina                           2.33.81
 69. Manu L'Hoir (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                       2.38.47
 70. Amikare Tronca (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips         2.40.45
 71. José Ramon Uriarte Zubero (Spa) Festina                2.41.81
 72. Juan Carlos Vicario (Spa) Fuenlabrada                  2.45.40
 73. Andrés Bermejo (Spa) Fuenlabrada                       2.45.81
 74. Roberto Pettito (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                 2.46.54
 75. Marco Magnani (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia               2.48.37
 76. Andrei Kivilev (Kaz) Festina                           2.52.52
 77. César Solaun (Spa) Banesto                             2.52.84
 78. Filipo Casagrande (Ita) Vini Caldilora                 2.52.96
 79. Igor Pugaci (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                     2.53.37
 80. David Latasa (Spa) Banesto                             2.54.97
 81. Cristian Salvato (Ita) Polti                           2.55.29
 82. José Javier Gomez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca             3.03.21
 83. Vitali Kokorine (Rus) Saeco-Cannondale                 3.03.44
 84. Gianni Faresin (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step                  3.05.11
 85. Francesco Secchiari (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale             3.06.34
 86. Peter Wuyts (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                       3.07.44
 87. Alberto Elli (Ita) Telekom                             3.09.31
 88. Jonathan Hall (Aus) Festina                            3.13.15
 89. Saúl Morales (Spa) Fuenlabrada                         3.18.94
 90. Unai Etxebarria (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                3.25.20
 91. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondal                 3.38.58
 92. Federico Giabbecucci (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia        3.28.60
 93. José Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) Banesto               3.28.92
 94. Pedro Horrillo (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros                 3.43.73
 95. Harald Morscher (Aut) Saeco-Cannondale                 3.44.06
 96. Matias Cagigas (Spa) Fuenlabrada                       3.49.65
 97. Oscar Cavagnis (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia              3.50.88
 98. Iñigo Gonzalez Heredia (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros         4.04.68
 99. Cristian Gasperoni (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia          4.31.53
100. Victor Moratilla Solera (Spa) Fuenlabrada              4.46.12
101. Francesco Frattini (Ita) Telekom                       5.37.76
102. Michele Coppolillo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi         6.09.04

Final GC after Stage 5b: 

  1. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE-Deutsche Bank              21.36.11
  2. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Festina                               0.51
  3. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Team Polti                           1.01
  4. Mario Aerts (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                           1.06
  5. Peter Luttenberger (Aut) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                1.09
  6. David Etxebarria (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                  1.18
  7. Niki Aebersold (Swi) Rabobank                              1.27
  8. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi                  1.29
  9. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros              1.38
 10. Udo Bölts (Ger) Telekom                                    1.43
 11. Iñigo Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                    1.58
 12. Igor Gonzalez Galdeano (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros             1.59
 13. Marco Velo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi                     2.03
 14. Geert Verheyen (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                        2.05
 15. Vladislav Bobrik (Rus) Riso Scotti-Vinavil                 2.10
 16. Beat Zberg (Swi) Rabobank                                  2.13
 17. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step                   2.18
 18. Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                     2.20
 19. Andrea Noé (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step                          2.22
 20. Txema Del Olmo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                     2.24
 21. Bingen Fernández (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                   2.28
 22. Massimo Donati (Ita) Vini Caldilora                        2.28
 23. Axel Merckx (Bel) Mapei-Quick Step                         2.31
 24. Massimiliano Gentili (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia            2.37
 25. Iñigo Cuesta (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                      2.41
 26. Felice Puttini (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips             2.50
 27. Richard Virenque (Fra) Team Polti                          2.50
 28. Santiago Blanco (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros                    2.53
 29. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                     3.00
 30. Ramón Gonzalez Arrieta (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi             3.17
 31. Félix García (Spa) Festina                                 3.24
 32. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank                             3.45
 33. Eugeni Berzin (Rus) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips              5.16
 34. Paolo Savoldelli (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                    6.10
 35. Daniel Atienza (Ita) Team Polti                            6.10
 36. Andrei Kivilev (Kaz) Festina                               6.40
 37. Unai Osa (Spa) Banesto                                     6.52
 38. Rik Verbrugghe (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                        7.09
 39. Jörg Jaksche (Ger) Telekom                                 7.21
 40. Abraham Olano (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                     7.24
 41. Pietro Caucchioli (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips          8.02
 42. Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Rabobank                             8.24
 43. José Manuel Uría (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                  8.51
 44. Aitor Osa (Spa) Banesto                                   10.01
 45. Patrick Jonker (Aus) Rabobank                             10.58
 46. Sergei Gontchar (Ukr) Vini Caldilora                      11.01
 47. Carlos Sastre (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                    11.45
 48. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi              15.36
 49. Tobias Steinhauser (Ger) Mapei-Quick Step                 16.03
 50. Kurt Van de Wouwer (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                   16.15
 51. Gianni Faresin (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step                     16.43
 52. Sébastien Demarbaix (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                  16.57
 53. Stéphane Goubert (Fra) Team Polti                         17.10
 54. Michele Coppolillo (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi            18.09
 55. Grischa Niermann (Ger) Rabobank                           19.22
 56. Alberto Lopez De Munain Ruiz (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskad       20.41
 57. Alain Turicchia (Ita) Riso Scotti-Vinavil                 21.43
 58. Daniele De Paoli (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips          22.15
 59. Alvaro Gonzalez Galdeano (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros          23.44
 60. Ramón Gonzalez Arrieta (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi            23.51
 61. Juan Carlos Vicario (Spa) Fuenlabrada                     24.19
 62. Roberto Conti (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi                 25.07
 63. José Luis Rubiera (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                25.11
 64. Javier Otxoa (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                     25.33
 65. Eduardo Hernandez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                25.47
 66. Filipo Casagrande (Ita) Vini Caldilora                    26.05
 67. Cristian Gasperoni (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia             27.15
 68. Peter Wuyts (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                          27.21
 69. Andreas Kloden (Ger) Telekom                              30.24
 70. José Luis Arrieta (Spa) Banesto                           31.23
 71. Darío Frigo (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                        31.23
 72. Maarten Den Bakker (Ned) Rabobank                         32.05
 73. Harald Morscher (Aut) Saeco-Cannondale                    34.09
 74. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Banesto                             34.45
 75. Amikare Tronca (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips            34.45
 76. Francesco Secchiari (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                35.07
 77. Cristian Salvato (Ita) Polti                              35.12
 78. Oscar Cavagnis (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia                 35.51
 79. Roberto Pettito (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                    36.09
 80. César Solaun (Spa) Banesto                                37.50
 81. José Miguel Elizburu (Spa) Fuenlabrada                    38.00
 82. Vjatceslav Ekimov (Rus) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips         41.34
 83. David Latasa (Spa) Banesto                                45.31
 84. Alberto Elli (Ita) Telekom                                45.45
 85. Marco Magnani (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia                  46.52
 86. José Javier Gomez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                47.50
 87. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                   51.04
 88. Pedro Horrillo (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros                    51.40
 89. Manu L'Hoir (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                          51.53
 90. Matias Cagigas (Spa) Fuenlabrada                          55.23
 91. José Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) Banesto                  56.04
 92. Alexandre Moos (Swi) Festina                              56.26
 93. Francesco Frattini (Ita) Telekom                          57.20
 94. Vitali Kokorine (Rus) Saeco-Cannondale                    58.24
 95. Unai Etxebarria (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi                 1.02.43
 96. Saúl Morales (Spa) Fuenlabrada                          1.05.45
 97. Iñigo Gonzalez Heredia (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros          1.06.12
 98. Federico Giabbecucci (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Alexia         1.07.42
 99. Andrés Bermejo (Spa) Fuenlabrada                        1.09.22
100. Jonathan Hall (Aus) Festina                             1.09.36
101. Igor Pugaci (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                      1.15.01
102. Victor Moratilla Solera (Spa) Fuenlabrada               1.18.11

Regularidad:

  1. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                    91
  2. Udo Bölts (Ger) Telekom                                      67
  3. Davide Rebellin (Ita) Team Polti                             62
  4. Niki Aebersold (Swi) Rabobank                                60
  5. Mario Aerts (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                             53
  6. Wladimir Belli (Ita) Festina                                 52
  7. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank                               48
  8. Giuliano Figueras (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step                     44
  9. Marco Pantani (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Bianchi                    41
 10. Geert Verheyen (Bel) Lotto-Mobistar                          37

Mountains:

  1. Koos Moerenhout (Ned) Rabobank	                          21
  2. José Vicente Garcia Acosta (Spa) Banesto                     21
  3. Alberto Lopez De Munain Ruiz (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi         16
  4. Alvaro Gonzalez Galdeano (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros             15
  5. José Luis Ruebiera (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca                  15
  6. Laurent Jalabert (Fra) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                    14
  7. Daniele De Paoli (Ita) Costa Almeria-Amica Chips             13
  8. Iñigo Cuesta (Spa) ONCE-Deutsche Bank                        12
  9. Francesco Secchiari (Ita) Saeco-Cannondale                   11
 10. Unai Osa (Spa) Banesto                                       11

Teams:

  1. ONCE-Deutsche Bank                                     64.51.01
  2. Rabobank                                                   3.27
  3. Euskatel-Euskadi                                           3.33
  4. Vitalicio Seguros                                          4.02
  5. Team Polti                                                 4.35
  6. Mapei-Quick Step                                           4.44
  7. Lotto-Mobistar                                             4.57
  8. Mercatone Uno-Bianchi                                      4.58
  9. Festina-Lotus                                              6.43
 10. Kelme-Costa Blanca                                         8.01
 11. Amica Chips-Costa Almeria                                  9.37
 12. Team Deutsche Telekom                                     23.50
 13. Cantina Tollo-Alexia                                      25.57
 14. Vini Caldriola-Sidermac                                   30.23
 15. Banesto                                                   41.10
 16. Saeco-Cannondale                                          54.34
 17. Fuenlabrada                                             1.42.46