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59th Vuelta a España - GT
Spain, September 4-26, 2004
Photography
Stage 1 - September 4: León - León (T.T.T.), 28 km
Stage 2 - September 5: León - Burgos, 207 km
Stage 3 - September 6: Burgos - Soria, 157 km
Stage 4 - September 7: Soria - Zaragoza, 167 km
Stage 5 - September 8: Zaragoza - Morella, 186.5 km
Stage 6 - September 9: Benicarló - Castellón de la Plana, 157 km
Stage 7 - September 10: Castellón de la Plana - Valencia, 165 km
Stage 8 - September 11: Factoría FORD - Factoría FORD (I.T.T.),
40.1 km
Stage 9 - September 12: Xátiva - Alto de Aitana (Alicante), 170
km
Stage 10 - September 13: Alcoi - Xorret de Catí (Castalla-Alicante),
174.5 km
Stage 11 - September 14: San Vicente del Raspeig - Caravaca de
la Cruz, 165 km
Stage 12 - September 16: Almería - Observatorio Meteorológico
de Calar Alto, 145 km
Stage 13 - September 17: El Ejido - Málaga, 172 km
Stage 14 - September 18: Málaga - Granada, 167 km
Stage 15 - September 19: Granada - Sierra Nevada (I.T.T.), 29.6
km
Stage 16 - September 21: Olivenza - Cáceres, 190.1 km
Stage 17 - September 22: Plasencia - Estación de Esquí La Covatilla
(Béjar), 170 km
Stage 18 - September 23: Béjar - Ávila, 196 km
Stage 19 - September 24: Ávila - Collado Villalba, 142 km
Stage 20 - September 25: La Vega de Alcobendas - Puerto de Navacerrada,
178 km
Stage 21 - September 26: Madrid - Madrid (I.T.T.), 28.2 km
Stage 21 - September 26: Madrid - Madrid (I.T.T.), 28.2 km
Images by Unipublic
- The Vuelta junior start in Madrid
- The podium of the Vuelta junior: Carlos Morales López (2nd), Alvaro José Cruz Galán (1st), and Rubén Pelegri Ferrandis (3rd)
- The Mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón and the Vice Mayor, Manuel Cobo, with Felipe Sáinz de Trápaga cutting the ribbon to start the final stage of the Vuelta
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) finished 14th in the stage and fourth overall
- PAco Mancebo (Illes Balears) had a superb ride to finish second, securing third overall
- Santi Perez (Phonak) did enough to win the stage, but not the Vuelta
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) did not crack under pressure and only conceded 13 seconds to Perez
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) did win the points jersey in the end
- Felix Cardenas (Cafes Baque) wrapped up the mountains jersey yesterday
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) also won the combination jersey
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) uses his last remaining strength to hold his winner's trophy
- The final podium: Santi Perez (2nd), Roberto Heras (1st) and Francisco Mancebo (3rd)
- Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme was the best team
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) is congratulated by his former DS Alvaro Pino, now with Phonak
Images by AFP Photo
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) pushes hard during the TT
- Santiago Perez (Phonak) in action during the final TT
- Francisco Mancebo (Illes Balears) rides en route to second place
- Cedric Vasseur (Cofidis) during the final time trial
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) was consistent during the Vuelta, but not quite at his best
- Santiago Perez (Phonak) is kissed on the podium after his stage win
- Santi Perez (Phonak) congratulates Heras on his victory
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) with his baby daughter on the podium
Stage 20 - September 25: La Vega de Alcobendas - Puerto de Navacerrada, 178 km
Images by Unipublic
- Nani Roma, winner of Paris-Dakar greets Heras at the start
- The ribbon cutters about to be assaulted by a large, fluffy animal
- Some happy faces at the start of the Vuelta's last mountain stage
- Straight away the pace is driven up
- Manebo and Valverde discuss how they can knock each other out of third place
- The early break was formed at km 10
- The Liberty boyz kept Heras out of the wind, as usual
- Santi Perez (Phonak) feeling thirsty
- Cafes Baque actually did most of the work today to try to set up Cardenas for another stage win
- Jimenez and Latasa worked hard to keep the break going
- Mancebo had a go on the second last climb, but failed
- Jimenez leads the break over the Puerto de Cotos
- Santi Perez (Phonak) attacks with 4km to go, with Heras on his wheel
- Perez keeps it going
- Jose Enrique Gutierrez (Phonak) crosses the line to win in Navacerrada
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) is presented with the gold jersey
- One more for Heras but can he keep it tomorrow?
Stage 19 - September 24: Ávila - Collado Villalba, 142 km
Images by Unipublic
- The Vuelta leaves Avila on Friday morning
- It was on from the gun as many riders tried to get in the breaks
- The attacks continue
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty Seguros) keeps Heras out of trouble
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) gets some adjustment to his radio
- Liberty Seguros had eight riders on the front of the peloton, and one in front
- Zaballa had already left the breakaway by this stage
- Constantino Zaballa (Saunier Duval) rides with teammate Joaquin Rodriguez for a while to establish a good gap
- Zaballa takes the first sprint
- Constantino Zaballa (Saunier Duval) went solo over all the climbs
- Liberty Seguros lead Heras on the Abantos
- Liberty Seguros kept control, and no-one could escape
- Benoit Joachim (USPS) having another good day in the mountains
- Constantino Zaballa (Saunier Duval) swallows a bidon of water
- Baranowski working with CSC to lead the peloton home
- Liberty Seguros turning the screws
- Constantino Zaballa (Saunier Duval) gives a weary victory salute
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) only has another two days, but they will be hard
- Felix Cardenas (Cafes Baque) looks like claiming the mountains jersey for the second time in a row
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) now looks to have the points jersey sewn up
Stage 18 - September 23: Béjar - Ávila, 196 km
Images by Unipublic
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) surrounded by local dignitaries at the start
- Setting off from kilometre zero
- Stephan Schreck takes second behind Zabel in the first sprint
- Fuentes and Tankink initiate the break
- The Baque brigade driving the break
- Thorwald Veneberg (Rabobank) leads through the intermediate sprint at Navarredondade Gredos (km 86)
- Roberto Laiseka (Euskaltel) went off in pursuit of the break, but never made it
- Pradera and Vasseur tried to get across to the break
- Descending during stage 18
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) grabs a musette
- Rodriguez and Garcia Acosta lead the break
- Ruben Plaza (Kelme) sets the tempo
- Liberty Seguros kept control for long enough to keep Heras out of trouble
- The peloton on one of the many climbs today
- Serrano works while his leader refuels
- Paco Mancebo gives it some stick
- Francisco Mancebo (Illes Balears) tried to split the group several times, and succeeded
- Francisco Mancebo (Illes Balears) puts the pressure on
- Santi Perez (Phonak) rides hard on the final climb with Heras and Valverde in tow
- Javier Pascual Rodriguez (Kelme) looking strong
- The peloton enters the walled city of Avila
- Javier Pascual Rodriguez (Kelme) leads Ivan Parra (Cafes Baque)
- Javier Pascual Rodriguez (Kelme) beats Ivan Parra to win the stage
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) survived another day
Stage 17 - September 22: Plasencia - Estación de Esquí La Covatilla (Béjar), 170 km
Images by Unipublic
- A tale of two Pacos: Paco Mancebo (L) and Paco Cabello compare injuries
- The peloton exits Plasencia
- Felix Cardenas (Cafes Baque) leads Arrieta and the early breakaway group
- Tadej Valjavec (Phonak) takes the first intermediate sprint at km km 19
- CSC leads the peloton early on
- Jan Hruska sets the pace in the peloton for Liberty
- When the going gets tough, Liberty gets going
- Cardenas working hard to keep the break alive
- Jose Luis Arrieta (Illes Balears) was one of the strongest in the break
- Cardenas and Arrieta on the front, with Valjavec in tow
- Giampaolo Caruso was one of Liberty's hard workers
- It's still over six minutes according to the time keeper
- Volodomir Gustov (Fassa Bortolo) was dropped by the break, but found some giant company
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) in the middle of the Liberty coccoon
- Arrieta and Cardenas go for it
- Santi Perez (Phonak) leads Heras on the final climb
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) struggles home for third place behind Cardenas and Perez
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) really hurt today
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) couldn't match Santi Perez
- Felix Cardenas (Cafes Baque) wins the stage in Covatilla
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) effectively increased his grip on the jersey
Stage 16 - September 21: Olivenza - Cáceres, 190.1 km
Images by Unipublic
- Cutting the ribbon to start stage 16
- The bunch gets moving early in stage 16
- Francisco Cabello (Com.Valenciana-Kelme) is not trying to get the party started. He crashed into this rocky ditch early in the stage and needed medical treatment.
- The peloton watches as the break rides away
- Moreni (R) and Fernandez (L) driving the break
- The peloton split in pursuit of the break
- Fernandez takes the first intermediate sprint at km 41.2
- Cedric Vasseur and Daniel Atienza help Luis Perez (C) back to the peloton
- Liberty Seguros keeping Heras enclosed in a protective shell
- Tony Cruz (L) does a turn while Jose Julia watches
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) grabs a feed bag
- Paco Mancebo chats with Oscar Sevilla
- The peloton didn't show a lot of interest once the break got 17 minutes
- The break struggles in the intense heat
- Jose Julia (Com.Valenciana-Kelme) wins the 16th stage
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) on the podium in the points jersey
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) in white as the combination leader
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) in maroon as the mountains leader
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) in yellow as the race leader
Images by AFP Photo
- Cadel Evans (T-Mobile) gets ready for the start
- Santiago Perez (Phonak) rides in the mountains jersey during stage 16
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) rides during stage 16
- The peloton picks up speed in the final 50 km
- Saunier Duval lead the peloton in the final phases of stage 16
- Spanish Francisco Cabello (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) shows his dissapointment after a fall
- Take that you lousy bike!
Stage 15 - September 19: Granada - Sierra Nevada (I.T.T.), 29.6 km
Images by Unipublic
- Francisco Cabello swapping his jersey with the basketball players of C.Baloncesto Granada, Dani Romero, the captain and Nacho Ordin, the base of the team.
- Marco Velo (Fassa Bortolo) gets ready for the time trial
- The Euskaltel team gets ready
- Aitor Silloniz (Euskaltel) gets his bike weighed
- Taking care to cut the ribbon in the right place
- Matthew White (Cofidis) was the first rider to start
- Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) had a great ride to finish fourth overall
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) looking relaxed as he chats to the Minister of Education, Science and Technology, María Jesús San Segundo
- The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, María Jesús San Segundo talks to Manolo Saiz
- The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, María Jesús San Segundo chats to Heras and Nozal
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) and Isidro Nozal look nervous
- Dario Cioni makes his way up through the crowds
- Santi Perez (Phonak) en route to his second win in two days
- Carlos Sastre (CSC) hurting
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) took time out of Heras today
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty) lost a chunk of time, but is still in fifth overall
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) looked a little uncomfortable, and did not produce one of his best rides
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) fights with it
- Santiago Perez (Phonak) on top of the podium for the second time in two days
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) has the gold jersey...but only by five seconds
Images by AFP Photo
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) in warm up mode
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) braves the bulls
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) lost another 6'21, finishing 28th
- Floyd Landis (USPS) suffered some more today
- Francisco Mancebo (Illes Balears) kept his chances alive by finishing fifth, but lost ground to Heras, Valverde and Perez
- Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) en route to fourth place
Images by Ed Tarwinski
- Klaus Möller (Den) of Alessio-Bianchi
- Vladimir Miholjevic (Cro) also of Alessio-Bianchi
- The crowds cheer the riders as they pass by
- Mum, dad, and even the kids made it out
- Downhill, so you can pedal your heart out
- A day out for everyone
- They may not know the riders names, but they will cheer them on anyway
- A bit of France in the middle of Spain
- Cameramen eye each other off
- Stefano Garzelli looking rather tanned
- David Blanco (Spa) of Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme
- Mashing the pedals up the hill
- Go! Go! Go!
Stage 14 - September 18: Málaga - Granada, 167 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) is the centre of attention
- The all important ribbon cutting in Malaga
- Setting off from Malaga. Francisco Garcia attacks first.
- Alessandro Cortinovis (Lampre) wins the day's first sprint
- There was no respite in the first hour
- Aitor Perez (Cafes Baque) crashed, but wasn't seriously hurt
- After the crash the peloton slowed
- Liberty Seguros at the front, in control
- Jose Antonio Pecharroman (Quick.Step-Davitamon) attacks, with Vinokourov following
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) protected
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) looking very cool
- Jorge Ferrio (Paternina) attacks in pursuit of mountain points
- Ferrio crosses the Alto de Ventas de Zafarraya in first place
- Koldo Gil at the head of the Liberty train
- Gutierrez and Zaballa drive the 12 man break
- Gutierrez and Zaballa go it alone on the Alto de los Bermejales
- Paco Lara (Paternina) leads the peloton
- On the Alto de Monachil Gutierrez, Zaballa and the rest came back
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty) rides for Heras on the climb
- Santi Perez (Phonak) escapes on the climb
- Santi Perez (Phonak) wins the 14th stage
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) enjoying the moment
Images by AFP Photo
- Paco Mancebo is lying in second overall
- The peloton on one of the sinuous climbs in stage 14
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty) drives the front group on the last climb
- Heras and Mancebo stayed close to each other
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) was riding well on the last climb
Stage 13 - September 17: El Ejido - Málaga, 172 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Members of Unipublic cut the ribbon to start stage 13
- The peloton rolls out for stage 13
- David Fernandez (Paternina) takes the first sprint
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) gets more treatment on his knee
- There were plenty of attacks in the first hour
- The peloton enjoys the coastline en route to Malaga
- Josep Jufre (Relax) leads the four man break
- Tunnels were frequent along today's route
- Mikel Artetxe (Euskaltel-Euskadi) does his job as water carrier
- Fassa Bortolo rode tempo for most of the day, never letting the break get far ahead
- Hulsmans takes the sprint at Carchuna
- Herbert Gutierrez (Cafes Baque) looking tired
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins his fourth stage
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) took the points jersey back from O'Grady
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) in the mountains jersey
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) looking good in gold
Images by AFP Photo
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) rides in the company of his teammates
- Floyd Landis (USPS) during stage 13
- Floyd Landis (USPS) rides with Jorg Jaksche (CSC)
- Cadel Evans (T-Mobile) consults his team car
- A US Postal mechanic looks after Benoit Joachim's bike
- The peloton en route between El Ejido and Malaga
Stage 12 - September 16: Almería - Observatorio Meteorológico de Calar Alto, 145 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Today we are in Almeria
- It was a fast start as usual
- Attacks string out the peloton
- Oscar Sevilla (Phonak) and Alejandro Valverde (Com.Valenciana-Kelme) go back to visit the race doctor
- Victor Pena (C) and Igor Gonzalez (CR) were part of a front group that formed on the Velefique
- Giampaolo Caruso sets the pace in the peloton for Liberty
- Floyd Landis (USPS) and Manuel Beltran were hurting on the first climb
- Paco Mancebo was too
- Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) looked OK early on, but ended up in the autobus
- Koldo Gil gives a bidon to his teammate
- Francisco Jose Lara (Paternina) spent most of the day on his own
- Liberty Seguros begin the death march
- Serrano and Cardenas went in pursuit of Lara for a while, but couldn't close the gap
- Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) is starting to gain some form again
- The Liberty Seguros axe man Isidro Nozal
- Lara starts to feel it on the last climb
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) goes it alone
- Santi Perez (Phonak) finished a strong second
- Paco Mancebo tries to lose Valverde
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) can see victory
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) wins on the Calar Alto
- Valverde comes in ahead of Nozal for fourth
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) on the podium in gold
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) also has the mountains jersey by a single point
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) is the best rider in the combined classification too
Stage 11 - September 14: San Vicente del Raspeig - Caravaca de la Cruz, 165 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Former top Spanish cyclist Julio Jiménez with Carlos Sastre (L) and Francisco García (R) at the start
- David Zabriskie (USPS-Berry Floor) sets off for a bit of a training ride
- David Zabriskie (USPS-Berry Floor) used this position as much as possible to try to keep aerodynamic
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) crashed early in the stage
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) is helped back to the peloton by his teammates
- Floyd Landis (USPS) chats to team director Johan Bruyneel
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) required a bit of treatment from the race doctor
- Illes Balears riding on the front for Mancebo
- US Postal protecting team leader Floyd Landis
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) rode like this for the whole day
- David Zabriskie (USPS-Berry Floor) keeps going
- Dario Cioni riding on the front for Fassa Bortolo
- Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis) in the company of Floyd
- David Zabriskie (USPS-Berry Floor) gives an exhausted victory salute as he crosses the line
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) in pain after the finish
- Floyd Landis (USPS) still has the gold jersey
Images by AFP Photo
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) sits on the side of the road after crashing early in the stage
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) painfully gets up
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) is attended to by his team director and doctor after crashing
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) takes a drink
- David Zabriskie (USPS-Berry Floor) shows the pain of his effort
- David Zabriskie (USPS-Berry Floor) is encouraged by director Dirk Demol
Stage 10 - September 13: Alcoi - Xorret de Catí (Castalla-Alicante), 174.5 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- The peloton starts another stage
- As usual the attacks started immediately
- Oscar Freire (Rabobank) wins the first sprint at km 17
- Darius Baranowski (Liberty) towing Roberto Heras
- Jimenez and Freire were away until km 41, when they were caught by another five riders
- Freire desends as Jimenez looks back for support
- Joseba Beloki (Saunier) grabs a drink from the team car
- Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis) leads the break with Zabel and Jimenez following
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) wins the second sprint of the day in Fontanars
- Jose Miguel Elias (Relax) looks across at Eladio Jimenez
- The breakaway on the Puerto de Biar
- The peloton is drenched by a thunderstorm
- Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Liberty) starts to put the hurt on
- The peloton picks up speed on a descent
- Floyd Landis (USPS) follows Carlos Sastre in the rain
- Juan Fuentes (Saeco) at the head of affairs
- Eladio Jimenez (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) heads for the summit
- Eladio Jimenez (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) wins the stage in Xorret de Cati
- Floyd Landis (USPS) is looked after
- Floyd Landis (USPS) is still hangin' in there!
Images by AFP Photo
- Francisco Mancebo (Illes Balears) in the white combination jersey
- Oscar Freire (Rabobank) in full tuck
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty) consults the oracle
- Eladio Jimenez (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) celebrates his win
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) moved up to second on GC today
Stage 9 - September 12: Xátiva - Alto de Aitana (Alicante), 170 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) signs autographs for the kiddies
- Cutting the ribbon to start stage 9
- The peloton rolls out of Xativa
- Juan Carlos Dominguez (Saunier) launches the first attack
- Vladimir Miholjevic (Alessio) and Michele Scotto d'Abusco (Lampre) attack
- Vladimir Miholjevic (Alessio) and Michele Scotto d'Abusco (Lampre) take the sprint in El Palomar with Vasseur in third
- Vladimir Miholjevic leads Michele Scotto d'Abusco and Cedric Vasseur over the first climb of the day
- Vicente Garcia Acosta stretches his legs on a descent
- Bert Grabsch (Phonak) leads the break
- The Posties control the bunch
- Postal workers
- Race leader Floyd Landis (USPS) flies down a descent on Michael Barry's wheel
- The feed zone
- Felix Cardenas (Baque) leads the breakaway
- Kelme assisted with the chase for a while
- Felix Cardenas (Baque) now with Pablo Lastras and Tadej Valjavec
- Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) in a world of pain
- Triki Beltran suffers on the last climb
- Baranowski started Liberty's assault on the stage, with Nozal and Heras poised
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty) in damage mode
- Felix Cardenas (Baque) and Lastras realise that the game is up with 3 km to go
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) gives Piepoli a free ride to the finish
- Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval) had no problems jumping Heras for the stage win
- Floyd Landis (USPS) lost time, but still maintained the gold jersey
- Paco Mancebo (Illes Balears) in the white combination jersey
Images by AFP
- Alejandro Valverde shows his soul
- Floyd Landis of US Postal Service continues to wear the gold leaders jersey
- Alexandre Vinokourovs in the mirror are closer than they appear
- Russian Denis Menchov (Illes Balears Banesto) hits the deck
- Denis Menchov is helped to his feet
- The peloton heads under one of many old bridges along the route
- Leonardo Piepoli climbs the mountain pass of 'Alto de Aitana'
- Roberto Heras reflects on the race so far
- Leonardo Piepoli takes out stage nine
- Roberto Heras prepares for some serious re-hydration at the end of stage nine
Stage 8 - September 11: Factoría FORD - Factoría FORD (I.T.T.), 40.1 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Giro d'Italia director Carmine Castellano chats to Manolo Saiz about the Pro Tour
- Vicente Belda, the director of Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme instructs his mechanics to make sure they put front wheels on the bikes
- Vicente Belda, the director of Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme talks turkey in the Kelme tent
- Agents make sure that the bikes are within UCI regulations.
- Santos Gonzalez (Phonak) en route to the early best time
- Pavel Tonkov (Vini Caldirola) finished halfway down the field today
- Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) took it steady and finished 6 minutes down
- Bert Grabsch (Phonak) was better than his teammate Gonzalez, and held the best time for a while
- Cristian Moreni (Alessio) in his Italian champion's jersey
- Joseba Beloki (Saunier) didn't quite perform to expectations, finishing 52nd
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty) had a great ride to be the first rider under 48 minutes
- Carlos Sastre (CSC) acquitted himself well in the test against the clock
- Tyler Hamilton (Phonak), wrist bandaged, rode an excellent time trial to finish in 47'16
- Floyd Landis (USPS) started well, but faded to third by the finish - enough to give him back the leader's jersey
- race leader Manuel Beltran (USPS) had a fantastic ride to end as fourth, slipping just one place on GC
- Manuel Beltran (USPS) crosses the line
- No changes to the mountains GC and Paco Mancebo still holds the jersey
- Floyd Landis (USPS) is also the combination GC leader
- Floyd Landis (USPS) took over the race leader from teammate Beltran
Stage 7 - September 10: Castellón de la Plana - Valencia, 165 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) looks concerned at the start as he nurses a sore wrist
- Carlos Torrent (Paternina) with his bronze medal that he won in the team pursuit in Athens
- Cutting the ribbon to start stage 7
- Jose Miguel Elias (Relax) drives the break with Ivanov following
- Jose Miguel Elias (Relax) crosses the Coll de Marianet (km 45) in first place
- Daniele Righi (L) with Herbert Gutierrez (C) and Jose Miguel Elias (R) in the breakaway group
- Patrick Calcagni (Vini Caldirola) takes the sprint at Azuébar
- Calcagni was also in front at the Altura sprint
- All the breakaway riders suffered in the heat today
- Should we chase? Yeah, why not.
- The peloton rode at a controlled pace on the climb
- Triki Beltran kept the gold jersey
- Calcagni won the third and final sprint at Lliria
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) celebrates his third stage win
- Paco Mancebo (Illes Balears) still in the mountains jersey
- Manuel Beltran (USPS) enjoying life as leader
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) took back the points jersey from O'Grady
- Denis Menchov (Illes Balears) in the white combination jersey
Images by AFP Photo
- Yeah, right
- Race leader Manuel Beltran gets a push from his teammate Victor Peña
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) beats Erik Zabel to win stage 7 of the Vuelta
Stage 6 - September 9: Benicarló - Castellón de la Plana, 157 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Miguel Poblet interviewed at the sign on
- Cutting the ribbon in Benicarló
- The peloton rolls out past kilometre 0
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) wins the first intermediate sprint at km 14
- Maarten den Bakker (Rabobank) drives a group of 30 that split off the front of the peloton
- Manuel Quinziato (Lampre) leads Kevin Hulsmans (Quick.Step) in their long breakaway
- The peloton on the ascent of the Coll de la Bandereta
- David Fernandez (Paternina) ahead of mountains leader Juan Manuel Garate (Lampre) on the Coll de la Bandereta
- Rabobank set a hard tempo to catch the break
- Kevin Hulsmans (Quick.Step-Davitamon) leads Quinziato across the line for the Benicassim sprint
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty) leads Luis Perez (Cofidis) on the Alto del desierto de las Palmas
- Oscar Freire (Rabobank) wins the 6th stage into Castellon
- Paco Mancebo (Illes Balears) is the new mountains leader after stage 6
- Manuel Beltran (USPS) looking happy in the golden leader's jersey
Images by AFP Photo
- Manuel Beltran (US Postal) discusses the day to come at the start of the stage
- The Phonak team takes a turn on the front
- The peloton makes its way through the Spanish countryside
- Isidro Nozal (Liberty Seguros) piles on the power
- Oscar Freire (Rabobank) takes the stage win ahead of Erik Zabel (T-Mobile)
Stage 5 - September 8: Zaragoza - Morella, 186.5 km
Images by Lavuelta.com
- Klaus Michael Moller (Alessio-Bianchi) at the start
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) discusses his options
- Cutting the ribbon in Zaragoza
- The peloton rolls out for the neutral start
- And they're off!
- Stefano Garzelli talks with his Vini Caldirola teammates
- Liberty Seguros set a hard tempo early on
- One of the early breakaways working well together
- The peloton catches an early break
- Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) not feeling too hot
- Team Saeco riding hard
- Unai Osa (Illes Balears) leads the day's main break
- Stuart O'Grady (Cofidis) takes the intermediate sprint in Alcañiz.
- Berges and Vandborg try to stay clear of the peloton
- O'Grady wins the third sprint in Valderrobles
Images by AFP Photo
- Steffen Wesemann (T-Mobile) was the first of his team to abandon today
- Ooooooohhhh dear... Torsten Hiekmann (T-Mobile) suffering from what is believed to be food poisoning. He abandoned the stage, together with two of his teammates.
- Hiekmann and Wesemann in the T-Mobile team car after pulling out
- The peloton rolls along during stage 5
- The peloton rides through a village during stage 5
- Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) looks worried
- Denis Menchov (Illes Balears) wins the 5th stage in Morella
- Denis Menchov (Illes Balears) with his winner's trophy
- Manuel Beltran is the fourth US Postal rider to wear the gold jersey
Stage 4 - September 7: Soria - Zaragoza, 167 km
Images by Unipublic
- Damiano Cunego (Saeco) happy at the start
- Benoit Joachim (USPS-Berry Floor) signs on in Burgos
- Race leader Benoit Joachim (USPS-Berry Floor) looking fine in gold
- Spanish champion Francisco Mancebo (Illes Balears) puts on his protective gear
- Cutting the ribbon to signify the start of stage 4 in Burgos
- The official stage start
- World Champion Igor Astarloa (Lampre) rides with Oscar Freire and others
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) wins the first sprint at km 21 ahead of Marco Velo and race leader Benoit Joachim
- Mikel Astarloza (Ag2R Prevoyance) makes a move
- David Fernandez (Paternina-Costa De Almeria) launches the day's main breakaway
- A horse tries to keep up with the peloton
- Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) gets treatment to his knee after a crash during stage 4
- David Fernandez (Paternina) leads the four man break with Inaki Isasi (Euskaltel) about to come through for a turn
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) just kept his nose in front of Zabel (C) and Freire (L) to win Stage 4
- Benoit Joachim (USPS-Berry Floor) stands tall in the golden leader's jersey
- Floyd Landis (USPS) in the mountains jersey after stage 4
- Floyd Landis (USPS) also wears the white combination jersey
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) maintained his grip on the points jersey
Images by AFP Photo
- Alejandro Valverde (Com.Valenciana-Kelme) looks nervous at the start
- Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Liberty) rides next to his team director
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) sprays the podium for a second time
Stage 3 - September 6: Burgos - Soria, 157 km
Images by Unipublic
- Erik Zabel (T-Mobile) rolls up for the start of stage 3, clad in the points jersey
- Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) enjoying the start in Burgos
- Tyler Hamilton (Phonak) discusses his chances
- Hey! I won Burgos
- The peloton rolls along, led by no-one in particular
- The break passes through the feed zone, where Benoit Joachim grabs a musette
- Joachim wins the first sprint and takes the virtual leader's jersey
- Kevin Hulsmans (Quick.Step-Davitamon) leads the quartet, with Andy Flickinger (Ag2r, L) close behind
- Benoit Joachim (USPS-Berry Floor) hammers on the front of the break with Veneberg in tow
- The Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme team drives the peloton in pursuit of the break
- The peloton rolls along between Burgos and Soria during stage 3
- Thorwald Veneberg (Rabobank) drives the breakaway with Joachim on his wheel
- Alejandro Valverde (Com.Valenciana-Kelme) wins a wet sprint in Soria
- Alejandro Valverde (Com.Valenciana-Kelme) celebrates
- Floyd Landis (USPS) in the mountains jersey
- Benoit Joachim (USPS-Berry Floor) became the first Luxembourger to wear the Vuelta's leader's jersey
Images by Lluis Gene/AFP Photo
- Max Van Heeswijk (US Postal) gets ready for the start
- Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Liberty Seguros) says goodbye to his daughter Nahia before he goes off to work for the day
- Benoit Joachim (US Postal) leads the break on a very grotty afternoon in Spain
- The peloton passes a spectator on its way through the Spanish countryside
- Alejandro Valverde (Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme) gives a victory salute as he wins the third stage
- Alejandro Valverde celebrates on the podium in the traditional fizzy manner
Stage 2 - September 5: León - Burgos, 207 km
Images by Unipublic
- Alejandro Valverde (Com.Valenciana-Kelme) looks happy
- Alexandre Vinokouorov (T-Mobile) is one of the candidates to win the Vuelta
- Phonak's Oscar Sevilla at the start
- Cutting the ribbon in Leon to signify the start
- Plenty of flags to accompany the Vuelta peloton
- Floyd Landis (USPS) chats during the stage with Moreni and Flecha
- The peloton in no hurry
- Max van Heeswijk (USPS-Berry Floor) takes the first sprint, and thus the virtual leader's jersey
- Bram Tankink (Quick.Step-Davitamon) leads Ricardo Serrano (Cafes Baque) during their escape
- The peloton split into four echelons at one point, due to the wind
- Daniele Righi (Lampre, L) and Guido Trenti (Fassa, R) crash in the middle of stage 2. Both were able to regain the peloton.
- A CSC rider is treated by the race doctor after a crash
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) triumphs in the second stage ahead of Erik Zabel (L) and Oscar Freire (R)
- Max van Heeswijk (USPS-Berry Floor) is the new leader
Images by AFP
- Alexandre Vinokourov (T-Mobile) at the start in León.
- That's got to hurt - Guido Trenti (Fassa Bortolo) shows the war wounds from an earlier crash.
- Floyd Landis (USPS-Berry Floor) talks to his director Johan Bruyneel.
- No time for horsing around.
- Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) wins the second stage, beating Erik Zabel and Oscar Freire.
- Stage winner Alessandro Petacchi (Fassa Bortolo) pops the bubbly, big time.
- Max van Heeswijk (USPS-Berry Floor) tries on the golden jersey for size.
Images by Martin Hardie/Cyclingnews.com
- Cadel Evans will be an important rider for his team
- The crowd watches the peloton roll out
- Alejandro Valverde (Com.Valenciana-Kelme) looking happy at the sign on
- Alexandre Vinokouorov (T-Mobile) gives a pre-stage interview
Stage 1 - September 4: León - León (T.T.T.), 28 km
Images by Unipublic
- Cutting the ribbon to signify the start of the Vuelta
- Igor Astarloa (Lampre) presents a signed rainbow jersey to Jose Luis Rodriguez
- Team Phonak en route to a good time
- Liberty Seguros' Roberto Heras straps on his helmet, watched by Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano
- The Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme team rode well to finish fourth
- Illes Balears-Banesto set the early best time, but were beaten by both T-Mobile and US Postal
- T-Mobile had a strong ride to finish second
- The Posties drive it home
- Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme still with eight riders
- The winning team: US Postal-Berry Floor
- Floyd Landis is the first leader of the 2004 Vuelta
Images by Lluis Gene/AFP Photo
- Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero greets Iñigo Chaurreau (AG2R Prevoyance) before the first stage of the vuelta
- US Postal on the way to another grand tour team time trial victory
- Floyd Landis on the way to victory in the team time trial
- T-Mobile were just 31 seconds down on Postal
- Floyd Landis accepts the first gold jersey and trophy of the 2004 Vuelta
