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59th Vuelta a España - GT
Spain, September 4-26, 2004
Preview Map Stage profile Start List Results Latest live report
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Stage 4 - September 7: Soria - Zaragoza, 167 km
Commentary by Jeff Jones, with additional reporting from Martin Hardie
Complete live report
Live coverage starts: 14:30 CEST
Estimated finish time: 17:15 CEST
14:37 CEST
Welcome to Cyclingnews' coverage of the fourth stage of the Vuelta, a 167 km
downhill run between Soria and Zaragoza. They say that stages into Zaragoza
are always the fastest - Igor González de Galdeano set the record here in 2001
and it stands at a respectable 55.176 km/h, helped by a drop in altitude from
Soria (1010m) to Zaragoza (200m). Along the way there is the Cat. 3 climb of
the Puerto de Lanzas Agudas and intermediate sprints at Aldealpozo (km 21),
Pozuelo de Aragón (km 103) and Bardallur (km 130.4).
The weather today could play an interesting role, as it's windy with plenty
of cloud cover and the chance of rain.
14:46 CEST 47km/120km to go
Today's stage started at 13:27 CEST, and the riders have now covered 47 of the
167 km on offer. The first sprint at Aldealpozo (km 21) was won by Erik Zabel
(T-Mobile), who is obviously interested in the points jersey as he is now too
far behind to take the lead after he punctured in the finale yesterday. Second
was Fassa Bortolo's Marco Velo, followed by race leader Benoît Joachim (USPS),
who gained another 2 seconds bonus on GC.
The first attack of the day was made by Xavier Florencio (Relax-Bodysol) at
km 13, but this was unsuccessful and the peloton stayed together until the first
sprint. At km 29, Mikel Astarloza (Ag2R Prevoyance) and José Miguel Elias (Relax-Bodysol)
attacked, and are currently holding a 25 second lead on a chasing pair, David
Fernandez (Paternina-Costa De Almeria) and Aitor Silloniz (Euskaltel-Euskadi).
The first hour was ridden at an average speed of 34.8 km/h.
14:50 CEST 49km/118km to go
The leaders have been caught after 15 km of freedom, and the peloton is compact
once more.
14:58 CEST 53km/114km to go
There's been a crash! Quick.Step's Pedro Horrillo and Bram Tankink are down,
but not for too long. They receive some treatment from the race doctor and are
back on their bikes.
15:09 CEST
Alessandro Spezialetti (Saeco) was also involved in the crash, along with several
others. But the Italian is back on his bike, getting treatment from the doctor
for head wounds.
15:23 CEST 71km/96km to go
The peloton is still complete, but being buffeted by some strong head/crosswinds
during this fourth stage. The average speed will suffer as a result.
15:24 CEST
Riders are still trying to break the shackles though, as Xavier Florencio and
David Fernandez try again to get clear. They go together with Iñaki Isasi (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
and Julien Laidoun (Ag2R Prevoyance), and have a 15 second gap to the peloton.
15:39 CEST 86km/81km to go
Florencio, Fernandez, Isasi and Laidoun have managed to eke out a 2'20 lead
as they climb the Puerto de las Lanzas Agudas.
15:43 CEST
Fernandez reaches the top of the climb first, ahead of Laidoun, Florencio and
Silloniz. It's only the second climb in the Vuelta so far (and the only one
today).
Despite the wind, the sun is shining strongly now and temperatures are in the
high 20's.
15:55 CEST 95km/72km to go
The four leaders are on the steady descent of the Agudas, with around 70 km
left in this stage. The wind is making it tough going, and they only have 2'45
over the peloton. As we saw yesterday, when the bunch is motivated, it can erase
more than 2 minutes per 10 km. Yesterday's quartet had 9'40 with 48 km to go,
but was caught with 7 km to go!
15:57 CEST
The leaders have just passed the feed zone at Boria, with Fernandez and Laidoun
grabbing bags of nutritious goodies. The peloton is moving a little quicker,
with Illes Balears and Lampre jerseys at the front riding a controlling tempo.
16:01 CEST 97km/70km to go
The leaders are really fighting into this headwind, but the peloton isn't giving
them much room today. A few Postal jerseys are also on the front, helping to
control things.
Florencio started the day in 59th at 2'03 down, which makes him the virtual
leader at the moment, as the gap is 2'53.
16:06 CEST 100km/67km to go
The race turns onto a narrow road, where US Postal continues to ride tempo on
the front of the bunch, pegging the le adders at between 2'30 and 3'00. The
chase hasn't really started yet, but the sprinters teams should certainly take
it up later.
16:08 CEST
Cyclingnews correspondent Martin Hardie reports that today's finish will
be a difficult one to judge for the sprinters. The final straight is 700m long
and slightly uphill. But the hardest thing will be the strong headwind - if
a rider jumps too early they'll be swamped from behind.
16:10 CEST
Cyclingnews correspondent Martin Hardie reports that today's finish will
be a difficult one to judge for the sprinters. The final straight is 700m long
and slightly uphill. But the hardest thing will be the strong headwind - if
a rider jumps too early they'll be swamped from behind.
16:11 CEST 103km/64km to go
The intermediate sprint at Pozuelo de Aragon is not contested by the four leaders,
and it's Inaki Isasi who takes the points ahead of Fernandez, and Laidoun.
In the peloton, Postal is being helped by Illes Balears to set the tempo.
16:18 CEST 106km/61km to go
The road has narrowed a little, as the peloton approaches a section of the race
where the wind is reported to be blowing very strongly from the right hand side.
Possibly an opportunity to break it up?
16:23 CEST 108km/59km to go
There has been a crash on this narrow road: Eladio Jimenez (Kelme) and Fabian
Jeker (Saunier Duval) are down, but getting on with it quickly. A few groups
a chasing back to the front - they're not too far away, so they should make
it. The headwind is already very hard.
16:28 CEST 109km/58km to go
Eladio Jimenez is getting a new front wheel from his team car and is riding
hard with Santiago Perez (Phonak), just evading a second crash within the team
car caravan.
Liberty Seguros' Koldo Gil is getting a new bike, too, riding back to the bunch
behind a Saunier Duval car. In front, there's Illes Balears and T-Mobile.
16:32 CEST
The four leaders are working really well and taking turns of only a few seconds.
Behind, Liberty's Koldo Gil is getting back into the bunch, which is very compressed
and nervous because of the upcoming turn and the crosswinds awaiting them.
16:35 CEST 115km/52km to go
The peloton is rarely as slow as this on the flat: only 35 km/h at the moment!
And this is not due to laziness. Also, there's no trees in this region at all,
so they're getting the full blast of the wind.
16:40 CEST 118km/49km to go
Another crash! Mikel Artetxte and CSC's Thomas Bruun will have to wait a while
for their team cars, but not really hurt. A few hundred metres down, there's
a crash again...
A group of about 30 riders is chasing down the peloton, they should make it.
Marius Sabaliauskas (Saeco) is getting technical assistance from his team mechanic
out the window.
16:42 CEST 122km/45km to go
The chase group is back with the bunch now. The route is descending in curbs.
Johan Van Summeren (Relax) is left behind, trying hard to get to the front again
after changing his bike.
16:45 CEST 125km/42km to go
Unai Osa (Illes Balears) is getting some water bottles, and the peloton has
finally got off that narrow road onto a two-lane road.
The head quartet still has 2'09, but will that last?
16:51 CEST 127km/40km to go
The break is passing through Urrea de Jalon, with the next intermediate sprint
about 4 km away. The speed picks up now, because the wind is no longer directly
in front of them.
16:56 CEST 131km/36km to go
And the sprint in Bardallur (km 130.4) goes to... Florencio, followed by Laidoun
and Fernandez, while the peloton is getting near, only a minute behind now.
Kelme is working again.
17:00 CEST 133km/34km to go
A lot of different teams are fighting for the front positions now, as everyone
intends to be the winning team if a split takes place. Joachim seems to be more
at the back of the peloton.
The racing gets serious now, the break only 0'23 away. Laidoun and Fernandez
are trying to continue by themselves.
17:03 CEST 136km/31km to go
The other two leftovers from the break are caught. Liberty's in the front, and
the fast pace has caused small groups to be dropped from the back of the peloton.
Caucchioli and Tonkov are off the pack.
17:08 CEST 140km/27km to go
The speed is currently 53 km/h. Illes Balears has four riders helping the second
group to catch up, as there's Denis Menchov with them. Most of the Cafés Baque
Team is there, too.
17:10 CEST 141km/26km to go
Cunego has crashed! He gets a bike change, and some teammates are waiting for
him.
The work of Illes Balears has paid off: They're back in front.
17:11 CEST 143km/24km to go
Six Saeco's are now pacing back to the bunch. Astarloa is also with them after
puncturing.
17:14 CEST 144km/23km to go
US Postal is riding tempo in front, and after returning to the peloton, Cunego
has also positioned himself up there.
At the back of the group, Eladio Jimenez is getting seen to by the Kelme team
car, grabbing a few bottles along the way. He has too many!
17:15 CEST
The Saunier Duval team is now helping Joseba Beloki get back on, after a mechanical.
17:18 CEST 145km/22km to go
Race leader Joachim drops back to the team car to pick up a few bottles - this
is becoming a bit of a tradition in the US Postal team! Four of his hard working
teammates are on the front of the peloton, which Saeco and T-Mobile also up
there. It's very nervous, with this strong headwind.
17:20 CEST 147km/20km to go
The pace slows somewhat, as a Saeco rider moves off the front to check his bike.
At the back of the peloton it's a bit calmer - as long as it stays a headwind.
17:23 CEST 148km/19km to go
They're on a flat out, straight motorway now, with a chain of mountains on the
left hand side. It's a if they had reached an agreement not to attack right
now, as some riders are still getting bidons. It's now slowed to 29 km/h.
17:27 CEST 151km/16km to go
Mikel Astarloza (Ag2R Prevoyance) and Antonio Colom (Illes Balears-Banesto)
attack, joined by David Herrero (Paternina-Costa De Almeria) and Bert Roesems
(Relax-Bodysol). They have a 10 second gap, but the peloton is chasing. Fassa
and T-Mobile are leading with four men.
17:28 CEST
The four leaders stretch their advantage out to 14 seconds, with the huge figure
of Roesems working hard. The peloton is not flat out chasing yet, probably allowing
these riders a bit of a lead to reduce the nervousness in the bunch.
17:30 CEST 152km/15km to go
Astarloza comes through for his turn, then Herrero. All riders are taking short
pulls, due to the strong headwind.
Rabobank has put a couple of men at the front of the peloton, to help T-Mobile
and Fassa. Now Cofidis come up with four riders. This will probably be too much
for the break.
17:32 CEST 154km/13km to go
Gustov is the man on the front of the bunch now, pegging the leaders back to
20 seconds. Roesems, Herrero, Astarloza and Colom are doing 34 km/h, and they're
going flat out! This will give you an idea of the headwind today.
17:34 CEST 155km/12km to go
Roesems is giving it full gas, and Astarloza (who is also tall) is the lucky
rider who has his wheel. 12 km to go, and the peloton is pulling back the leading
four.
17:35 CEST 156km/11km to go
T-Mobile, Rabobank, Fassa, Cofidis and Vini Caldirola all have men on the front
of the bunch, riding a hard tempo in pursuit of the break, which is still managing
to keep a 15 second lead.
17:37 CEST 157km/10km to go
Cioni, Sacchi, Gustov are all up the front now for Fassa, trying to set up Petacchi
for another stage win. It's going to be a tough sprint into the headwind, and
the winner will have to have plenty of patience in the final straight. Fortunately
for Petacchi, he has a leadout train that can get him as far as he wants to
the finish.
The gap is 10 seconds and closing.
17:39 CEST
In the break, Colom cracks first as he sees the peloton coming behind. Now there
are three with less than 10 seconds. Roesems, Astarloza and Herrero.
17:40 CEST 159km/8km to go
Herrero comes back to the bunch, leaving the two big guys out in front. The
peloton is swarming all over the right hand side, T-Mobile in charge.
17:41 CEST 160km/7km to go
One rider doesn't stay on the main road, and is now riding on a side road looking
for a way back! It's not easy either.
17:42 CEST 161km/6km to go
It's Matt White (Cofidis) - he's now back on the main road, but at the back
of the bunch. Oops. He laughs about it with Garcia Acosta and Scott Sunderland,
who give him directions.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Serrano (Cafes Baque) attacks.
17:43 CEST
Serrano's suicide move nets him about 50m, but it's going to be impossible for
him to hold off the peloton for the next 6 km.
17:44 CEST 162km/5km to go
T-Mobile marshals itself at the front of the bunch again, hoping that Zabel
can pull off the victory today - you never know.
Serrano goes backwards very fast once the magenta train gets going. Peloton
compact again.
17:46 CEST 163km/4km to go
It's getting close now - 4km to go and the speed has picked up to 48 km/h. Fassa's
train is riding with T-Mobile.
17:47 CEST 164km/3km to go
The bunch is clustered on the right hand side of the road, but the crosswind
isn't strong enough to split it today. Sacchi (Fassa) takes a turn after Schreck
(T-mobile), then Ongarato. An Alessio rider is up there too.
17:48 CEST 165km/2km to go
Who will it be today? Zabel or Petacchi or ... ?
17:49 CEST 165km/2km to go
The road goes uphill with 2km to go and Sacchi and Ongarato force the pace,
with Velo up there. Petacchi is on Trenti's wheel. Sacchi pulls off.
17:49 CEST
Botero takes over the lead, then Barry (USPS). But the Fassas are back with
Ongarato and a Vini Caldirola rider. It's 48 km/h into a strong headwind.
17:50 CEST 166km/1km to go
The road turns to the right with just over 1 km to go, and the peloton lines
out.
17:51 CEST 167km/0km to go
Fassa leads out Petacchi with two riders, Zabel is on Petacchi's wheel, then
Furlan....
Trenti goes with 250m to go, then Petacchi jumps at 150m. Zabel almost gets
past him, then Freire comes, but Petacchi comes back with an incredible burst
and wins!!! Zabel second and Freire third.
Results
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 4.23.01 2 Erik Zabel (Ger) T-Mobile Team 3 Oscar Freire (Spa) Rabobank 4 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis, le credit par Telephone 5 Angelo Furlan (Ita) Alessio-Bianchi General classification after stage 4 1 Benoit Joachim (Lux) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor 2 Max Van Heeswijk (Ned) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor 0.18 3 Floyd Landis (USA) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor 0.24 4 Michael Barry (Can) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor 5 Manuel Beltran (Spa) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor 6 Victor Hugo Peña (Col) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor 7 David Zabriskie (USA) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor 8 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 0.40 9 Cadel Evans (Aus) T-Mobile Team 10 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme 0.47
