Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, Cat 2.1

Spain, June 19-26, 1997

Stages 5 to 8

1996 Results

Preview

The 77th edition of the prestigious "Volta" a Cataluna, which will start tomorrow from Vilaseca & will finish on the 26th in Andorra, shows a balanced route, ideal to prepare for the Tour de France. It will be sort of 'test' for the Tour de France, with two timne trials, one short the first day and another one, not too long at 22.1km.

The rider participation isn't bad, even after the last minute withdrawals: Laurent Jalabert, Alex Zuelle, Ivan Gotti & Abraham Olano, which have decided not to take the start. According to the organization, the riders attending will be: Tonkov, Cipollini, Boardman, Escartin, Serrano, Zarrabeitia, Leblanc, Chiappucci & Mejia.

Saeco has announced today, that they won't participate at la Vuelta a Catalunya because the organizers have not allowed them to race without the presence of Italian sprinter, Mario Cipollini. According to sources from the organzation, the initial commitement with Saeco included the presence of Mario Cipollini. Due to the absence of the "sprinter", Saeco promised that they would bring Ivan Gotti, who will not be able to attend either.

Unfortunately for Spanish racing fans, the hubbub around year's Volta deals largely with who will not race. Olano passed; Zulle, who won last year, is in the tour of Switzerland; Jalabert, winner in 1995, was set to race in the Volta but got re-routed last week by Once to ride with Zulle in Switzerland; Saeco pulled out Gotti, then Cipollini. After the Cipollini incident, Volta organizers promptly canceled their agreement with Saeco, leaving the race with 14 instead of 15 teams.

Tonkov is billed as the favorite, followed by Leblanc. Boardman will be present, but will have to settle for a grand total of 30 km in trials for the entire Volta. Here is a current list of teams (if nobody else cancels at the last minute): Once, Mapei, Polti, Kelme, Lotto, Euskadi, Roslotto, Petroleo de Columbia, Banesto, Asics, Gan, TVM, Toscaf & Flavia-Telecom.

Some more details about why the Volta a Catalunya organization didn't allow Saeco to ride. Ruben Peris, vicepresident of the organization traveled to Venice at the start of the Giro to speak to prospective teams. ""Claudio Corti, Saeco's sport director, assured us that Cipollini would ride La Volta. Then Gotti's name showed up. We told them that we preferred the sprinter. Then Gotti won the Giro and said not to the Volta. It wasn't a matter of money, he simply didn't want to come. The excuse was that he had a medical problem, but they never showed us a medical certificate", said Peris. Claudio Corti called to announce that the Tuscan sprinter was tired. The lies and exchanges were too many. We asked for Casagrande to compensate for the absence of the two figures and they dais that he was riding in Switzerland and they offered Lelli. That's when talks broke down. The Saeco sent a letter to the media saying that the organization didn't dialogue and that we were inflexible and reminding how much Saeco has done for La Volta -last year Cipollini abandoned the race saying that the hotels were shit (textual) and in '94 he didn't speak to the Spanish press, because he didn't like an article that they wrote.

Stages

June 19: Stage 1a: Vilaseca-La Pinea, 71.9 km
         Stage 1b: Puerto Aventura-La Pinea, 7.8 km ITT

June 20: Stage 2: Puerto Aventura-Lerida, 163 km 
         Climbs: Alto de Santa Cristina (3rd category),  La Illa (3rd)

June 21: Stage 3: Borges Blancas-Manresa, 186.7 km
         Climbs: Alto de Calaf (3rd), Fonollosa (3rd), Montserrat (1st)

June 22, Stage 4: San Juan Despi-Barcelona, 129.7 km
         Climbs: Alto de Begues (3rd)

June 23, Stage 5: Vic-Vic, 22.1 km ITT

June 24, Stage 6: Vic Casa Tarradella-Playa de Aro, 160.7 km
         Climbs: Alto de Masnou (2nd)

June 25, Stage 7: Gerona-Andorra, 237 km
         Climbs: Alto de la Creueta (1st), Collet Montaup (1st) and Estacion de
Pal (1st)

June 26, Stage 8: Andorra-Andorra, 188.6 km
         Climbs: Alto de Bas (1st), Clara (3rd)

Teams and main participants:

Once (Spa): Mauri, Zarrabeitia, Sierra, Diaz Zabala
Banesto (Spa): Casero, Alonso, Uriarte, De las Cuevas (Fra)
Kelme (Spa): Escartin, Rubiera, Serrano, Edo, G. Camacho
Euskadi (Spa): David Garcia, A. Gonzalez de Galdeano, Flores
Estepona-Toscaf (Spa): D. Clavero, Gamito (Por), Smetanin (Rus)
Petroleo Colombia (Col): Mejia, Espinosa, Bernal, Bolivar
Flavia Telecom (Col): Aguirre, Palacio, Catelblanco
Asics (Ita): Chiappucci, Chefer (Kaz), Pozzi, Colonna
Mapei (Ita): Tonkov (Rus), Svorada (Cze),  Tafi
Polti (Ita): Leblanc (Fra), Outchakov (Ukr), Guerini
TVM (Ned): Anderson (Swe), Ivanov (Rus), Skibby (Den)
Lotto (Bel): Tchmil (Ukr), Abdujaparov (Uzb), Planckaert
Gan (Fra): Boardman (GB), Hinault, Lemarchand.

Recent winners:

1990: - Laudelino Cubino (Spa)

1991: - Miguel Indurain (Spa)

1992: - Miguel Indurain (Spa)

1993: - Alvaro Mejia (Col)

1994: - Claudio Chiappucci (Ita)

1995: - Laurent Jalabert (Fra)

1996: - Alex Zülle (Swi), 2. Jonker (Aus), 3. M. Fincato (Ita).

Stage 1, Vila Seca-La Pineda, 72 kms:

 1. Jan Svorada (Slovakia)              1.57.23 
 2. Federico Colonna (Italy) 
 3. Federic Moncassin (France) 
 4. Enrico Cassani (Italy) 
 5. Jeremy Hunt (Britain) 
 6. Massimo Strazzer (Italy) 
 7. Sergei Outschakov (Ukraine) 
 8. Angel Edo (Spain) 
 9. Marco Bellini (Italy) 
10.Igor Flores (Spain)                  all s.t.

Stage 1b, Port Aventura-La Pineda, 8 kms ITT

 1. Chris Boardman (Britain)            8.42
 2. Angel Luis Casero (Spain)           0.12
 3. Aitor Garmendia (Spain)   
 4. Fernando Escartin (Spain)           0.23
 5. Stuart O'Grady (Australia)          0.32
 6. Armand de las Cuevas (France)       0.33
 7. Alberto Leanizbarrutia (Spain)
 8. Alvaro Gonzalez (Spain)
 9. Alonso Marino (Spain)           
10.Bart Voskamp (Netherlands)           0.36


11. CANADA, David           ESP  O.N.C.E.       37  
12. TONKOV, Pavel           RUS  MAPEI-GB       39  
13. ZARRABEITIA, Mikel      ESP  O.N.C.E.       40  
14. RODRIGUEZ, Orlando S.   POR  BANESTO        41  
15. TCHMIL, Andrei          UKR  LOTTO          41  
16. RUBIERA, Jose Luis      ESP  KELME          41  
17. BENITEZ, Francisco      ESP  KELME          43  
18. GONTCHENKOV, Alexandre  UKR  ROSLOTTO       43  
19. IVANOV, Serguei         RUS  T.V.M.         43  
20. VAN PETEGEM, Peter      BEL  T.V.M.         44  

23. DI GRANDE, Giuseppe     ITA  MAPEI-GB       49  
35. LEBLANC, Luc            FRA  POLTI          55  
42. TAFI, Andrea            ITA  MAPEI-GB       58  
43. MONCASSIN, Frederic     FRA  GAN            58  
45. MAURI, Melchor          ESP  O.N.C.E.       59  
55. ZAINA, Enrico           ITA  ASICS        1:03  
59. JASKULA, Zenon          POL  MAPEI-GB     1:05  
79. MEJIA, Alvaro           COL  PET COL      1:19  
86. CHIAPPUCCI, Claudio     ITA  ASICS        1:30

GC after Day One

  1. BOARDMAN, Christopher GBR GAN                   2:06:05
  2. CASERO, Angel Luis    ESP Banesto                  0.12
  3. GARMENDIA, Aitor      ESP ONCE                     0.12
  4. ESCARTIN, Fernando    ESP Kelme                    0.23
  5. O'GRADY, Stuart       AUS GAN                      0.32
  6. DE LAS CUEVAS, Armand FRA Banesto                  0.33
  7. LEAZNIBARRUTIA, Alber ESP ONCE                     0.33
  8. GONZALEZ, Alvaro      ESP Euskadi                  0.33
  9. ALONSO, Marino        ESP Banesto                  0.33
 10. VOSKAMP, Bart         NED TVM                      0.36
 11. CANADA, David         ESP ONCE                     0.37
 12. TONKOV, Pavel         RUS Mapei                    0.39
 13. ZARRABEITIA, Mikel    ESP ONCE                     0.40
 14. RODRIGUEZ, Orlando S. POR Banesto                  0.41
 15. TCHMIL, Andrei        UKR Lotto                    0.41
 16. RUBIERA, Jose Luis    ESP Kelme                    0.41
 17. BENITEZ, Francisco    ESP Kelme                    0.43
 18. GONTCHENKOV, Alexandr UKR Roslotti                 0.43
 19. IVANOV, Serguei       RUS TVM                      0.43
 20. VAN PETEGEM, Peter    BEL TVM                      0.44
 21. VOGELS, Henk          AUS GAN                      0.44
 22. URIARTE, Jose Ramon   ESP Banesto                  0.45
 23. DI GRANDE, Giuseppe   ITA Mapei                    0.49
 24. BRASICS, Rossano      ITA Team Polti               0.49
 25. GUERINI, Giuseppe     ITA Team Polti               0.50
 26. FERRARI, Diego        ITA Asics                    0.51
 27. GARCIA, Ramon         ESP Estepona Tosca           0.51
 28. ZANINI, Stefano       ITA Mapei                    0.51
 29. SOLAUN, Cesar         ESP Euskadi                  0.52
 30. SIERRA, Roberto       ESP ONCE                     0.52
 31. PASCUAL RODRIGUEZ, Ja ESP Kelme                    0.53
 32. STRAZZER, Massimo     ITA Roslotti                 0.53
 33. GONZALEZ, I$igo       ESP Euskadi                  0.53
 34. GAMITO, Victor Manuel POR Estepona Tosca           0.53
 35. LEBLANC, Luc          FRA Team Polti               0.55
 36. SVORADA, Jan          SVK Mapei                    0.55
 37. HAMBURGER, Bo         NED TVM                      0.56
 38. LANFRANCHI, Paolo     ITA Mapei                    0.56
 39. PRETOT, Arnaud        FRA GAN                      0.57
 40. HUNT, Jeremy          GBR Banesto                  0.57
 41. OUTSCHAKOV, Serguei   UKR Team Polti               0.57
 42. TAFI, Andrea          ITA Mapei                    0.58
 43. MONCASSIN, Frederic   FRA GAN                      0.58
 44. DIAZ, Herminio        ESP ONCE                     0.58
 45. MAURI, Melchor        ESP ONCE                     0.59
 46. SERRANO, Marcos       ESP Kelme                    0.59
 47. OSA, Aitor            ESP Banesto                  0.59
 48. MICHAELSEN, Lars      DEN TVM                      1:00
 49. FINCATO, Marco        ITA Roslotti                 1:01
 50. CASSANI, Enrico       ITA Team Polti               1:01
 51. SHEFER, Alex          KAZ Asics                    1:02
 52. GOMEZ, Jose Javier    ESP Kelme                    1:02
 53. CAPIOT, Johan         BEL TVM                      1:02
 54. ZAINA, Enrico         ITA Asics                    1:03
 55. EDO, Angel            ESP Kelme                    1:04
 56. SIMEONI, Filippo      ITA Asics                    1:05
 57. GARCIA, Ignacio       ESP Kelme                    1:05
 58. JASKULA, Zenon        POL Mapei                    1:05
 59. LOPEZ, Oscar          ESP Euskadi                  1:06
 60. GARCIA, David         ESP Euskadi                  1:06
 61. ZEN, Marco            ITA Roslotti                 1:07
 62. GUALDI, Miko          ITA Team Polti               1:08
 63. CLAVERO, Daniel       ESP Estepona Tosca           1:08
 64. EECKHOUTE, Nico       BEL Lotto                    1:08
 65. SGNAOLIN, Daniele     ITA Roslotti                 1:10
 66. ZINTCHENKO, Andrei    RUS Estepona Tosca           1:10
 67. LANGELLA, Antony      FRA GAN                      1:10
 68. BARRIGON, Josue       ESP ONCE                     1:10
 69. WILLIEMS, Ludwing     BEL Lotto                    1:12
 70. DJAVANIAN, Vialchesla RUS Roslotti                 1:15
 71. FEYS, Wim             BEL Lotto                    1:15
 72. SKIBBY, Jesper        DEN TVM                      1:16
 73. LEMARCHAND, Francois  FRA GAN                      1:17
 74. URIA, Jose Manuel     ESP Estepona Tosca           1:17
 75. VICARIO, Juan Carlos  ESP Estepona Tosca           1:18
 76. KOKORINE, Vitali      RUS Roslotti                 1:18
 77. SMETANINE, Serguei    RUS Estepona Tosca           1:18
 78. MEJIA, Alvaro         COL Petroleo Colombia        1:19
 79. LAISEKA, Roberto      ESP Euskadi                  1:19
 80. ABDOUJAPAROV, Djamoll UZB Lotto                    1:20
 81. PETILLEAU, Stephane   FRA TVM                      1:22
 82. FLORES, Igor          ESP Euskadi                  1:22
 83. PEERS, Chris          BEL Lotto                    1:26
 84. CREPALDI, Mirco       ITA Team Polti               1:29
 85. CHIAPPUCCI, Claudio   ITA Asics                    1:30
 86. CASTELBLANCO, Jose J. COL Flavia Telecom           1:31
 87. POLI, Eros            ITA GAN                      1:33
 88. APARICIO, Vicente     ESP Banesto                  1:36
 89. AIARZAGUENA, I$aki    ESP Euskadi                  1:37
 90. CHAURREAU, I$igo      ESP Team Polti               1:42
 91. MU$OZ, Federico       COL Flavia Telecom           1:42
 92. MOLINARI, Maurizio    ITA Asics                    1:42
 93. PLANCKAERT, Jo        BEL Lotto                    1:43
 94. HERNANDEZ, M.         COL Flavia Telecom           1:48
 95. AGUIRRE, Julio        COL Flavia Telecom           1:49
 96. CONTRERAS, Carlos     COL Flavia Telecom           1:50
 97. BELLINI, Marco        ITA Asics                    1:52
 98. GUTIERREZ, Herbert    COL Petroleo Colombia        1:53
 99. ANGUITA, Eleuterio    ESP Estepona Tosca           1:56
100. BERNAL, Jose Daniel   COL Petroleo Colombia        1:56
101. GARAVITO, Diego J.    COL Petroleo Colombia        2:00
102. ROJAS, Alexis         COL Petroleo Colombia        2:00
103. PALACIO, Hector I.    COL Flavia Telecom           2:01
104. BOLIVAR, Victor Hugo  COL Petroleo Colombia        2:01
105. HERRERA, Helder       COL Flavia Telecom           2:02
106. CASTILLO, Juan Javier COL Petroleo Colombia        2:02
107. RAMIREZ, Juan D.      COL Flavia Telecom           2:05
108. GOMEZ, Raul           COL Petroleo Colombia        2:10
109. COLONNA, Federico     ITA Asics                    2:37

Stage 1a Report

Slovakian cyclist, Jan Svorada, from Team Mapei, won in a sprint the first sector of the first stage of la Volta a Cataluqa, disputed between Vila Seca & La Pineda, over 71.9km. This distance was covered by Jan Svorada in 1:57:23 at an average speed of 36.751 km/hr. After him came in, Federico Colonna & Frederic Moncassin, which marked the time of the other 109 riders. In this way Svorada finally wins, after a bad performance at the recent Giro. He didn't have any problems dominating the stage, in a sector which was quiet, with almost no attacks and some crashes without major consequence.

Stage 1b Report

British cyclist, Christopher Boardman, from Team Gan, became the first leader of the 77th edition of "Volta" a Catalunya when he won the second sector of the first stage, a 7.8km time trial between Puerto Aventura & Vila-Seca La Pineda, in which he dominated all the other riders. If the win by Boardman was no surprise, Fernando Escartin's (Kelme) performance was finishing fourth a little under 30 seconds behind. The worst difficulty of the stage, according to the participants was the wind, since at the start it was favorable and at the end it was a headwind, so finding a comfortable gear was difficult.

Stage 2, Puerto Aventura-Lerida, 163 km:

  1. Jan Svorada (Cze) Mapei            4.01.01
  2. Frederic Moncassin (Fra) Gan
  3. Frederic Colonna (Ita) Asics 
  4. Sergei Ivanov (Rus) TVM
  5. Enrico Cassani (Ita) Polti
  6. Lars Michaelsen (Den) TVM
  7. Henk Vogels (Aus) Gan
  8. Massimo Strazzer (Ita) Roslotto
  9. Marco Bellini (Ita) Asics
 10. Alvaro Gonzalez (Spa) Euskadi   all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Chris Boardman(Gbr) Gan            6.07.06
  2. Angel Luis Casero (Spa) Banesto     + 0.12
  3. Aitor Garmendia (Spa) Once          + 0.12
  4. Fernando Escartmn (Spa) Kelme       + 0.23
  5. Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Gan            + 0.32
  6. Armand De las Cuevas (Fra) Banesto  + 0.33
  7. Alberto Leanizbarrutia (Spa) Once   + 0.33
  8. Alvaro Gonzalez (Spa) Euskadi       + 0.33
  9. Marino Alonso (Spa) Banesto         + 0.33
 10. Bart Voskamp (Ned) TVM              + 0.36


 11.  CANADA, David             ESP     O.N.C.E.                 0.37
 12.  TONKOV, Pavel             RUS     MAPEI-GB                 0.39
 13.  ZARRABEITIA, Mikel        ESP     O.N.C.E.                 0.40
 14.  RODRIGUEZ, Orlando S.     POR     BANESTO                  0.41
 15.  TCHMIL, Andrei            UKR     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           0.41
 16.  RUBIERA, Jose Luis        ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       0.41
 17.  BENITEZ, Francisco        ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       0.43
 18.  GONTCHENKOV, Alexandre    UKR     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       0.43
 19.  IVANOV, Serguei           RUS     T.V.M.                   0.43
 20.  VAN PETEGEM, Peter        BEL     T.V.M.                   0.44
 21.  VOGELS, Henk              AUS     GAN                      0.44
 22.  URIARTE, Jose Ramon       ESP     BANESTO                  0.45
 23.  DI GRANDE, Giuseppe       ITA     MAPEI-GB                 0.49
 24.  BRASI, Rossano            ITA     TEAM POLTI               0.49
 25.  GUERINI, Giuseppe         ITA     TEAM POLTI               0.50
 26.  FERRARI, Diego            ITA     ASICS                    0.51
 27.  GARCIA, Ramon             ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          0.51
 28.  ZANINI, Stefano           ITA     MAPEI-GB                 0.51
 29.  SOLAUN, Cesar             ESP     EUSKADI                  0.52
 30.  SIERRA, Roberto           ESP     O.N.C.E.                 0.52
 31.  PASCUAL RODRIGUEZ, Javier ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       0.53
 32.  STRAZZER, Massimo         ITA     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       0.53
 33.  GONZALEZ, Inigo           ESP     EUSKADI                  0.53
 34.  GAMITO, Victor Manuel     POR     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          0.53
 35.  LEBLANC, Luc              FRA     TEAM POLTI               0.55
 36.  SVORADA, Jan              SVK     MAPEI-GB                 0.55
 37.  HAMBURGER, Bo             NED     T.V.M.                   0.56
 38.  LANFRANCHI, Paolo         ITA     MAPEI-GB                 0.56
 39.  PRETOT, Arnaud            FRA     GAN                      0.57
 40.  HUNT, Jeremy              GBR     BANESTO                  0.57
 41.  OUTSCHAKOV, Serguei       UKR     TEAM POLTI               0.57
 42.  TAFI, Andre               ITA     MAPEI-GB                 0.58
 43.  MONCASSIN, Frederic       FRA     GAN                      0.58
 44.  DIAZ, Herminio            ESP     O.N.C.E.                 0.58
 45.  MAURI, Melchor            ESP     O.N.C.E.                 0.59
 46.  SERRANO, Marcos           ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       0.59
 47.  OSA, Aitor                ESP     BANESTO                  0.59
 48.  MICHAELSEN, Lars          DEN     T.V.M.                   1:00
 49.  FINCATO, Marco            ITA     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       1:01
 50.  CASSANI, Enrico           ITA     TEAM POLTI               1:01
 51.  SHEFER, Alex              KAZ     ASICS                    1:02
 52.  GOMEZ, Jose Javier        ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       1:02
 53.  CAPIOT, Johan             BEL     T.V.M.                   1:02
 54.  ZAINA, Enrico             ITA     ASICS                    1:03
 55.  EDO, Angel                ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       1:04
 56.  SIMEONI, Filippo          ITA     ASICS                    1:05
 57.  GARCIA, Ignacio           ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       1:05
 58.  JASKULA, Zenon            POL     MAPEI-GB                 1:05
 59.  LOPEZ, Oscar              ESP     EUSKADI                  1:06
 60.  GARCIA, David             ESP     EUSKADI                  1:06
 61.  ZEN, Marco                ITA     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       1:07
 62.  GUALDI, Miko              ITA     TEAM POLTI               1:08
 63.  CLAVERO, Daniel           ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          1:08
 64.  EECKHOUTE, Nico           BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           1:08
 65.  SGNAOLIN, Daniele         ITA     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       1:10
 66.  ZINTCHENKO, Andrei        RUS     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          1:10
 67.  LANGELLA, Antony          FRA     GAN                      1:10
 68.  BARRIGON, Josue           ESP     O.N.C.E.                 1:10
 69.  WILLIEMS, Ludwing         BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           1:12
 70.  DJAVANIAN, Vialcheslav    RUS     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       1:15
 71.  FEYS, Wim                 BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           1:15
 72.  SKIBBY, Jesper            DEN     T.V.M.                   1:16
 73.  LEMARCHAND, Francois      FRA     GAN                      1:17
 74.  URIA, Jose Manuel         ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          1:17
 75.  VICARIO, Juan Carlos      ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          1:18
 76.  KOKORINE, Vitali          RUS     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       1:18
 77.  SMETANINE, Serguei        RUS     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          1:18
 78.  MEJIA, Alvaro             COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        1:19
 79.  LAISEKA, Roberto          ESP     EUSKADI                  1:19
 80.  ABDOUJAPAROV, Djamolldine UZB     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           1:20
 81.  PETILLEAU, Stephane       FRA     T.V.M.                   1:22
 82.  PEERS, Chris              BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           1:26
 83.  CHIAPPUCCI, Claudio       ITA     ASICS                    1:30
 84.  CASTELBLANCO, Jose J.     COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           1:31
 85.  APARICIO, Vicente         ESP     BANESTO                  1:36
 86.  AIARZAGUENA, I$aki        ESP     EUSKADI                  1:37
 87.  CHAURREAU, I$igo          ESP     TEAM POLTI               1:42
 88.  MUNOZ, Federico           COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           1:42
 89.  PLANCKAERT, Jo            BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           1:43
 90.  HERNANDEZ, M.             COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           1:48
 91.  AGUIRRE, Julio            COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           1:49
 92.  CONTRERAS, Carlos         COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           1:50
 93.  BELLINI, Marco            ITA     ASICS                    1:52
 94.  GUTIERREZ, Herbert        COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        1:53
 95.  ANGUITA, Eleuterio        ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          1:56
 96.  BERNAL, Jose Daniel       COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        1:56
 97.  GARAVITO, Diego J.        COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        2:00
 98.  ROJAS, Alexis             COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        2:00
 99.  PALACIO, Hector I.        COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           2:01
100.  BOLIVAR, Victor Hugo      COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        2:01
101.  HERRERA, Helder           COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           2:02
102.  CASTILLO, Juan Javier     COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        2:02
103.  RAMIREZ, Juan D.          COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           2:05
104.  GOMEZ, Raul               COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        2:10
105.  POLI, Eros                ITA     GAN                      2:17
106.  CREPALDI, Mirco           ITA     TEAM POLTI               2:20
107.  COLONNA, Federico         ITA     ASICS                    2:37
108.  MOLINARI, Maurizio        ITA     ASICS                    2:47
109.  FLORES, Igor              ESP     EUSKADI                  3:09

Stage 2 Report

Jan Svorada took advantage of a crash in the final sprint to win the second stage of the Tour of Catalonia on Friday.

But Chris Boardman, winner of Thursday's time trial, maintained his 12-second overall lead.

Svorada swept to the front of the pack after spotting a gap created by a crash in which Stuart O'Grady appeared to hit a piece of fencing and brought down Sergei Outschakov and Angel Edo.

O'Grady was taken to hospital but he was not seriously injured.

Earlier, Jose Daniel Bernal had built a seven-minute lead after breaking away just four kilometres into the 164-km stage between Port Aventura and Lleida.

But the Spaniard never looked likely to hang on and was hauled in 35 kms from the finish.

Saturday's 187-km stage between Las Borjas Blancas and Manresa includes a tough mountain section through Montserrat.

Stage 3, Las Borjas Blancas-Manresa, 186,7 km:

  1. Sergei Usciakov (Ukr) Polti         5.00.56
  2. Peter Van Petegem (Bel) TVM
  3. Angel Luis Casero (Spa) Banesto
  4. Maurizio Molinari (Ita) Asics
  5. Josi Luis Rubiera (Spa) Kelme
  6. Sergei Ivanov (Rus) TVM
  7. Fernando Escartmn (Spa) Kelme
  8. Paolo Lanfranchi (Ita) Mapei
  9. Orlando Rodrmgues (Por) Banesto.
 10. Bo Hamburger (Ned) TVM            all s.t.

Overall:

  1. Chris Boardman (Gbr) Gan           11.08.02
  2. Angel Luis Casero (Spa) Banesto      + 0.12
  3. Fernando Escartmn (Spa) Kelme        + 0.23
  4. Armand De las Cuevas, (Fra) Banesto  + 0.33
  5. Alberto Leanizbarrutia, (Spa) Once   + 0.33
  6. Alvaro Gonzalez (Spa) Euskadi        + 0.33
  7. Marino Alonso (Spa) Banesto          + 0.33
  8. Bart Voskamp (Ned) TVM               + 0.36
  9. Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei             + 0.39
 10. Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spa) Once         + 0.40

 11.  RODRIGUEZ, Orlando S.    POR      BANESTO                  0.41
  12.  RUBIERA, Jose Luis       ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       0.41
  13.  BENITEZ, Francisco       ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       0.43
  14.  IVANOV, Serguei          RUS     T.V.M.                   0.43
  15.  VAN PETEGEM, Peter       BEL     T.V.M.                   0.44
  16.  DI GRANDE, Giuseppe      ITA     MAPEI-GB                 0.49
  17.  GUERINI, Giuseppe        ITA     TEAM POLTI               0.50
  18.  GARCIA, Ramon            ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          0.51
  19.  SOLAUN, Cesar            ESP     EUSKADI                  0.52
  20.  GONZALEZ, I$igo          ESP     EUSKADI                  0.53
  21.  LEBLANC, Luc             FRA     TEAM POLTI               0.55
  22.  HAMBURGER, Bo            NED     T.V.M.                   0.56
  23.  LANFRANCHI, Paolo        ITA     MAPEI-GB                 0.56
  24.  OUTSCHAKOV, Serguei      UKR     TEAM POLTI               0.57
  25.  DIAZ, Herminio           ESP     O.N.C.E.                 0.58
  26.  SERRANO, Marcos          ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       0.59
  27.  OSA, Aitor               ESP     BANESTO                  0.59
  28.  SHEFER, Alex             KAZ     ASICS                    1:02
  29.  LOPEZ, Oscar             ESP     EUSKADI                  1:06
  30.  CLAVERO, Daniel          ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          1:08
  31.  BARRIGON, Josue          ESP     O.N.C.E.                 1:10
  32.  DJAVANIAN, Vialcheslav   RUS     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       1:15
  33.  URIA, Jose Manuel        ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          1:17
  34.  KOKORINE, Vitali         RUS     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       1:18
  35.  LAISEKA, Roberto         ESP     EUSKADI                  1:19
  36.  GOMEZ, Jose Javier       ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       1:19
  37.  CASTELBLANCO, Jose J.    COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           1:31
  38.  CONTRERAS, Carlos        COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           1:50
  39.  PALACIO, Hector I.       COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           2:01
  40.  MOLINARI, Maurizio       ITA     ASICS                    2:47
  41.  URIARTE, Jose Ramon      ESP     BANESTO                  4:23
  42.  SIERRA, Roberto          ESP     O.N.C.E.                 4:30
  43.  PASCUAL RODRIGUEZ, JavierESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA       4:31
  44.  PRETOT, Arnaud           FRA     GAN                      4:35
  45.  TAFI, Andre              ITA     MAPEI-GB                 4:36
  46.  MICHAELSEN, Lars         DEN     T.V.M.                   4:38
  47.  JASKULA, Zenon           POL     MAPEI-GB                 4:43
  48.  GARCIA, David            ESP     EUSKADI                  4:44
  49.  ZEN, Marco               ITA     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       4:45
  50.  MU$OZ, Federico          COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           5:20
  51.  HERNANDEZ, M.            COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           5:26
  52.  AGUIRRE, Julio           COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           5:27
  53.  ANGUITA, Eleuterio       ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          5:34
  54.  GARAVITO, Diego J.       COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        5:38
  55.  ROJAS, Alexis            COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        5:38
  56.  BOLIVAR, Victor Hugo     COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        5:39
  57.  CA%ADA, David            ESP     O.N.C.E.                 5:40
  58.  RAMIREZ, Juan D.         COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           5:43
  59.  GOMEZ, Raul              COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        5:48
  60.  FERRARI, Diego           ITA     ASICS                    5:54
  61.  CREPALDI, Mirco          ITA     TEAM POLTI               5:58
  62.  ZAINA, Enrico            ITA     ASICS                    6:06
  63.  SIMEONI, Filippo         ITA     ASICS                    6:08
  64.  SGNAOLIN, Daniele        ITA     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI       6:13
  65.  SKIBBY, Jesper           DEN     T.V.M.                   6:19
  66.  LEMARCHAND, Francois     FRA     GAN                      6:20
  67.  MEJIA, Alvaro            COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        6:22
  68.  PETILLEAU, Stephane      FRA     T.V.M.                   6:25
  69.  PEERS, Chris             BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           6:29
  70.  CHIAPPUCCI, Claudio      ITA     ASICS                    6:33
  71.  BELLINI, Marco           ITA     ASICS                    6:55
  72.  HERRERA, Helder          COL     FLAVIA TELECOM           7:05
  73.  CASTILLO, Juan Javier    COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        7:05
  74.  TCHMIL, Andrei           UKR     LOTTO-ISOGLASS           8:07
  75.  BRASI, Rossano           ITA     TEAM POLTI               8:15
  76.  VICARIO, Juan Carlos     ESP     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF          8:44
  77.  AIARZAGUENA, I$aki       ESP     EUSKADI                  9:03
  78.  CHAURREAU, I$igo         ESP     TEAM POLTI               9:08
  79.  BERNAL, Jose Daniel      COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA        9:22
  80.  GUTIERREZ, Herbert       COL     PETROLEO COLOMBIA       10:22
  81.  GONTCHENKOV, Alexandre   UKR     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI      10:30
  82.  GARMENDIA, Aitor         ESP     O.N.C.E.                10:36
  83.  ZANINI, Stefano          ITA     MAPEI-GB                10:38
  84.  GAMITO, Victor Manuel    POR     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF         10:40
  85.  GUALDI, Miko             ITA     TEAM POLTI              10:55
  86.  VOGELS, Henk             AUS     GAN                     11:08
  87.  MONCASSIN, Frederic      FRA     GAN                     11:22
  88.  EECKHOUTE, Nico          BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS          11:32
  89.  LANGELLA, Antony         FRA     GAN                     11:34
  90.  FEYS, Wim                BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS          11:39
  91.  APARICIO, Vicente        ESP     BANESTO                 12:00
  92.  PLANCKAERT, Jo           BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS          12:07
  93.  STRAZZER, Massimo        ITA     ROSLOTTO-ZG MOBILI      12:37
  94.  SVORADA, Jan             SVK     MAPEI-GB                12:39
  95.  HUNT, Jeremy             GBR     BANESTO                 12:41
  96.  POLI, Eros               ITA     GAN                     12:41
  97.  MAURI, Melchor           ESP     O.N.C.E.                12:43
  98.  CASSANI, Enrico          ITA     TEAM POLTI              12:45
  99.  CAPIOT, Johan            BEL     T.V.M.                  12:46
 100.  EDO, Angel               ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA      12:48
 101.  GARCIA, Ignacio          ESP     KELME-COSTA BLANCA      12:49
 102.  ZINTCHENKO, Andrei       RUS     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF         12:54
 103.  WILLIEMS, Ludwing        BEL     LOTTO-ISOGLASS          12:56
 104.  SMETANINE, Serguei       RUS     ESTEPONA-TOSCAF         13:02
 105.  ABDOUJAPAROV, DjamolldineUZB     LOTTO-ISOGLASS          13:04
 106.  FLORES, Igor             ESP     EUSKADI                 13:33
 107.  COLONNA, Federico        ITA     ASICS                   14:21

Stage 3 Report

The third stage of the Tour of Catalonia, won by Sergei Outschakov of Ukraine on Saturday, brought the riders their first taste of the mountains but failed to prove decisive.

Briton Chris Boardman maintained the overall lead he has held since Thursday's time trial.

The heat of the day made the climbers reluctant to show their strength until 25km from the line in the last mountain stretch through the sierra of Montserrat.

Luc Leblanc built up a 20 second lead but was caught on the descent by another French rider, Armanda de las Cuevas, who was then joined by Dutchman Bart Voskamp.

Voskamp looked set to take the stage until the final kilometres but he was hauled in by the Kelme team and Polti's Outschakov was on hand to find a way through to the line.

The Tour continues on Sunday with the 130km fourth stage between San Juan Despi and Barcelona, where a sprint finish is expected.

Stage 4, San Juan Despi-Barcelona, 130 kms:

 1. Jan Svorada (Slovakia) Mapei                3.26.24  
 2. Federico Colonna (Italy) Asics 
 3. Frederic Moncassin (France) Gan 
 4. Massimo Strazzer (Italy) Rosslotto 
 5. Enrico Cassani (Italy) Polti 
 6. Lars Michaelsen (Denmark) TVM 
 7. Igor Flores (Spain) Euskadi 
 8. Albe Leanznibarrutia (Spain) ONCE 
 9. Angel Edo (Spain) Kelme 
10. Jeremy Hunt (Britain) Banesto               all s.t.

Overall standings:

 1. Chris Boardman (Britain) Gan            14.34.26 
 2. Angel Luis Casero (Spain) Banesto           0.12
 3. Fernando Escartin (Spain) Kelme             0.23
 4. Armand de las Cuevas (France) Banesto       0.33
 5. Albe Leanizbarrutia (Spain) ONCE            0.33
 6. Alvaro Gonzalez (Spain) Euskadi             0.33
 7. Alonso Marino (Spain) Banesto               0.33
 8. Bart Voskamp (Netherlands) TVM              0.36
 9. Pavel Tonkov (Russia) Mapei                 0.39
10. Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spain) ONCE              0.40

Stage 4 Report

Slovakian sprinter Jan Svorada completed a hat-trick of victories in the Tour of Catalonia by taking an uneventful fourth stage on Sunday.

Briton Chris Boardman retained his 12-second lead in the overall standings and looks likely to increase his advantage in Monday's time-trial.

Svorada had to shake off strong challenges from Federico Colonna and Federic Moncassin to win the stage.

``This time it was more difficult because I had to start from further out,'' Svorada said.

The jockeying for position ahead of the sprint for the line provided some of the few interesting moments in the stage.

The race continues on Monday with a 22-km time-trial starting and ending in Vic. The route is ideally suited to Boardman, the world one-hour record holder.

Boardman has held the lead since the first day and, after resisting the challenge of the mountain specialists, is clear favourite to win.