Vuelta News for September 27, 2002
Edited by Jeff Jones
Stage 18 wrap up
The last mountain top finish in this year's Vuelta was fought out on
the slopes of La Covatilla, a 9.5 km ski station climb reaching 2010m
in altitude. Riding as hard as he could in his home territory, race leader
Roberto Heras (USPS) attacked twice on the climb to drop Aitor Gonzalez
(Kelme), who had the help of Oscar Sevilla in the final kilometres to
limit the damage to 37 seconds. That means that Heras has 1'12 on Gonzalez
going into Sunday's final time trial, which will be very, very close.
Santiago Blanco (iBanesto.com, and another local boy) took an excellent
win on La Covatilla, starting the climb with 6 minutes on the bunch and
finishing with just a handful of seconds to second placed Heras. Blanco's
win is the third by an iBanesto rider in this year's Vuelta.
Full results & report
Live report
Photos
Post stage comments
Santi Blanco (iBanesto.com, 1st stage)
Santi Blanco
Photo: © Lavuelta.com
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"That was the risk," said Blanco who attacked with 50 km to go. "If you
don't attack you don't win. When I reached La Covatilla I was prepared
to die on my bicycle if necessary and I was suffering a lot, but I was
not going to give up. I could not fail on home ground before my fans.
I knew that La Covatilla was easier nearer the top and that helped me
keep going."
"This is a perfect day for the people of this region, with me winning
the stage and Roberto still wearing the gold leader's jersey."
Roberto Heras (USPS, 1st GC)
"We won't know who will win this race until Sunday. I have done well
today, but I am still impressed by Gonzalez's resilience."
Aitor González (Kelme, 2nd GC)
"I believe that is was an acceptable loss with a view towards the time
trial in Madrid. I knew that Roberto Heras was strong and it was not going
to be easy for me to cover his attacks, and I could lose a lot of time.
Now we have to wait until the last day."
"Tomorrow is another difficult stage and now I have to recover from
today. Besides on the last day Roberto is a great rider and the 'maillot
amarillo' gives you wings. The time trial will decide it."
Oscar Sevilla (Kelme, 3rd GC)
"Aitor will recover in the time trial. I have sacrificed myself for
Aitor and what is important is to win the Vuelta. I have carried out the
orders of Vicente Belda."
"I could have stayed with Beloki, I had to stop to be with Aitor. Those
were the orders of the team. Aitor failed at that moment and Vicente told
me that he expected it, and that's what had to be done."
"What we cannot do is repeat what happened the other day [on the Angliru],
it was an error and we are all human. He [Aitor] recognized that he made
a mistake and therefore I have not made a mistake now."
"I am proud to have helped the team, but also a little disappointed
at not being able to follow Beloki and the others. But we have come to
win the Vuelta and that must be done with the team. "
Johan Bruyneel (USPS DS)
"Today went very well as Roberto and the team did what they needed to
do. We would have liked a lead of 1:30, but I believe 1:12 will be enough.
Roberto will really have to surpass himself to win the Tour of Spain but
I think he can do it."
"The team was good today and rode very well. Toni (Cruz), Matt (White)
and Dave (Zabriskie) did the work for the first 100 kilometres when it
was flat and all made it up the first category climb (the Puerto de Honduras).
We had to work really hard for only 50 kilometres until the break went,
and it was a perfect break as the top guy was nearly 40 minutes back of
Roberto."
Bruyneel also commented about the crowds that had come out in support
of Heras, who is from Bejar. "The crowd was amazing today. Roberto lives
in Bejar along with his parents and family and from the start the whole
day you heard - Roberto, Roberto, Roberto."
Regarding Sunday's time trial, Bruyneel said that Heras should hold
his own. "Roberto has improved his time trialing skills and the first
time trial (10 days ago in Cordoba, won by Gonzalez) showed that. And
in my opinion - physically - Roberto is the strongest guy in the race.
He is the "freshest" rider left as well and that will be even more important
when compared to the specialists (in the time trial). Roberto is fresh
and in very good shape, and the fact he is wearing the leader's jersey,
will start last and will have time references all the way will help as
well."
Polartec to sponsor a team
North American company Polartec, which is the official supplier of the
Vuelta leader's jersey, has issued a press release stating that the company
"is considering various options, which include participation in cycling
sponsorship". The release came as a result of rumours about the formation
of a new professional team.
Polartec makes military and sports clothing, and is seeking to become
a top or co-sponsor of a cycling team which would compete in at least
two Grand Tours and some of the classics.
Kelme and Look together again
French bike manufacturer Look will continue to sponsor Vicente Belda's
Kelme team next season, which will mark the third year of the partnership.
Look will present its new KX Light bicycle, which will be ridden by Kelme
next year, at the start of tomorrow's 19th stage in Bejar at 11:30am.
The frame's main features are sloping, oversized carbon fibre tubes.
Stage 19: Béjar - Avila, 177.8 km
The climbing is almost over in this year's Vuelta, with tomorrow's stage
19 being the last to feature Cat. 1 and Cat. 2 climbs. Starting in
Roberto Heras' hometown of Béjar, the stage follows an uphill trajectory
for the first half, descending into Villarejo del Valle (km 96) in preparation
for the Cat. 1 climb of Puerto de Serranillos, a 16.7 kilometre drag that
averages 5.1%. It shouldn't present any serious problems to the top GC
riders, although there is the chance that someone will crack.
The finish is located 63 km from the summit of the climb, with the Cat.
2 Puerto de Navalmoral coming at 22 km to go. It doesn't look much like
a sprinter's stage, and there is also the possibility of attacks on the
final descent to Avila.
Join us tomorrow at 14:45 CEST/05:45 PDT/08:45 EDT/22:45 Aust. EST for
live coverage of Stage 19.
(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2002)
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