62nd Vuelta a España - GT

Spain, September 1-23, 2007

Photography

Stage 21 - September 23: Rivas Vaciamadrid - Madrid , 100km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) gets to enjoy his first overall Vuelta Madrid victory - his second overall win after Roberto Heras tested positive for EPO and was disqualified in 2005
• Menchov takes home the trophy for the combination classification
• Carlos Sastre (CSC), Denis Menchov (Rabobank) and Sammy Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) made up the final 2007 Vuelta overall podium
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre) took his third win on the final day in Madrid, winning the points classification in the process

Images by Unipublic

• That's a mighty big trophy Mr. Bennati
• Bennati takes the sprint ahead of Petacchi
• Lampre's Daniele Bennati took home the trophy for the points classification
• The best team Caisse d'Epargne
• A toast! to the top three - Sastre, Menchov and Sanchez
• Minard and Fernandez check out the latest safety gear
• Bingen Fernandez and Sébastien Minard (Cofidis) goof around wearing the motocyclists' helmets
• Quick-Step helps with photography for the Cofidis team
• I-scream, you scream we all scream for ice cream!
• Ruben Lobato (Saunier Duval) demonstrates his aero position
• Riders are a blur in front of historic scenery
• The peloton speeds through Madrid
• Menchov in the white combination classification jersey which he also won
• Menchov won the mountains competition and the gray jersey
• Milram poured on the speed to set up Petacchi for the sprint
• The peloton rode at an easy pace into Madrid
• The final podium of the 2007 Vuelta Carlos Sastre, Denis Menchov and Sammy Sanchez
• Sastre, Menchov and Sanchez wave to the crowd from the GC podium

Stage 20 - September 22: Villalba-Villalba (ITT) , 25km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel - Euskadi) took his third stage and moved up onto the podium
• Sánchez deserves this after a stellar time trial
• Sánchez powers to the win on the penultimate stage
• An unusual display of emotion from Denis Menchov who sealed his overall win with a solid time trial
• Sánchez comes into the finish of the stage 20 time trial

Images by Unipublic

• The big Swede Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) had a good ride to finish 13th.
• Spaniard Carlos Barredo (Quick.Step) came in fourth secure a top 10 finish overall.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) posted a promising early time but was eventually knocked down to 11th.
• Dutch TT champion Stef Clement (Bouygues Telecom).
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) was edged into fourth place overall today by winner Samuel Sanchez.
• Australian Adam Hansen (T-Mobile) fine tuning his form for the World Championships.
• Vladimir Karpets (Caisse d'Epargne) flying to eighth on the stage.
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) confirmed his recent good form today.
• The penultimate maillot oro for Denis Menchov.
• Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) has ridden aggressively throughout the Vuelta.
• Joost Posthuma (Rabobank) was 40 seconds off the pace today.
• Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) rips through a corner on his winning ride.
• Sanchez's win was enough to knock Cadel Evans off the final podium spot.
• The second win in as many days for Samuel Sanchez, and his third of the 2007 Vuelta.
• Santos González (Karpin Galicia) wasn't hold anything back.
• Team CSC's Carlos Sastre has never been a fan of the TT and today was no different.
• Christian Vande Velde (Team CSC) will represent the USA in Stuttgart next week.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) went out to represent the maillot oro today and did it with style.

Images by Rick Wilson

• Please get my name right! Magnus Backstedt (Liquigas) on his way in the TT with the team car sporting a slight variation namewise.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) in time trial mode.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel - Euskadi) on his way to a fabulous time trial victory to snatch an overall podium spot.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel - Euskadi) gets some support .. his win was hugely popular.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor Lotto) rode very well but in the end fell just short of saving 3rd overall.
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) gets into the groove.
• Another crowd favourite , Carlos Sastre (CSC) powers away up the small hill away from the start.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) .. his overall win was never really under threat but still rode very impressively to 2nd on the stage.

Stage 19 - September 21: Avila - Alto de Abantos , 135km

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• The monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial looked like a mirage in the fog
• Cadel Evans gets encouragement from a fan, but no help from Carlos Barredo
• Juan Manuel Gárate (Quickstep) leads the breakaway
• Menchov and Contador shake hands during the podium ceremony
• Menchov was unshakable on the soggy ride to Alto de Abantos
• Rabobank kept the race under control and Menchov stayed with the leaders to hold onto the gold jersey
• Alberto Contador was on hand to help with podium ceremonies
• The peloton struggles on the first trip up the Alto de Abantos
• Sammy Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was excited to get another win
• Sanchez wins! The Euskaltel rider took his second win of the Vuelta
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) attacked until Evans could no longer hold on
• Lampre's Sylvester Szmyd had a spectacular ride to finish sixth

Images by AFP Photo

• Sanchez can't believe his good fortune
• Sammy Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) gives a wink
• Cadel Evans looked a bit worse for the wear after struggling to stay in contact on stage 19

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Alessandro Vanotti (Liquigas) drives to the lines.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) kept golden.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) guns it for the win.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) takes the win over Daniel Moreno (Relax-GAM).
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) rode an aggressive stage.
• Daniel Moreno (Relax-GAM) finishes.
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC) congratulates Denis Menchov (Rabobank).(Rabobank).
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC) tried to break Denis Menchov
• Igor Antón (Euskaltel-Euskadi) happy for his team-mate's win.
• Sylvester Szmyd (Lampre-Fondital) finishes, tired.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto)
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) gathers himself after a tough day.

Images by Rick Wilson

• Climbing the Alto de Abantos for the first time at the top of San Lorenzo.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) at the top of San Lorenzo.
• Chris Horner (Predictor Lotto) working hard on the climb.
• Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel Euskadi) rounds the hairpin on the Alto de Abantos with 7km to go to an extraordinary win.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) on the Alto de Abantos.
• The rear group steadily make their way up the final climb of the day.

Stage 18 - September 20: Talavera de la Reina - Avila , 154km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Luis Pérez Rodriguez (Andalucia-Cayasur) retires with style and a Vuelta stage win
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) has a few of these types of photographs after nine stages in gold
• Perez soloed to victory
• Perez enjoyed his send off
• Going out on a high note Perez will retire at the end of the season

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Daniele Bennati (Lampre) kept the magenta points leader's jersey
• Magenta is your color, Daniele
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) has another day on the podium
• Menchov is just days away from his first outright Vuelta win
• Luis Perez got his win the second Vuelta stage of his career
• Bennati rolls in well behind the leaders
• Franco Pellizotti couldn't pull off the victory
• Sammy Sanchez rolls home with the group of favourites
• The maillot oro group comes in 41 seconds behind Perez
• The camera captures Perez winning his second career Vuelta stage
• Perez had plenty of time to enjoy the moment
• The winner finishes in Ávila
• Cobbles made the finishing circuit challenging
• Is this Flanders?
• The chase group fights its way home
• The cobbles caused pain and splits in the peloton
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) was aggressive again on stage 18
• Sanchez feels the pain of the effort it takes to cross cobblestones
• Perez floated over the stones to take the stage
• Menchov had Vladimir Karpets to help protect his lead
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) moved up to second overall
• The second group fights to get through the cobbled circuit
• Riders pass the fortified city wall of Avila
• Pellizotti tries and fails to chase Perez
• Perez looked smooth tackling the final circuit
• The view of the finish circuit in Avila
• Nice for tourists unpleasant for cyclists
• Torsten Hiekmann (Gerolsteiner) gets some encouragement
• The peloton rolls in to the fortified city of Avila
• Fans watch from a grassy hill
• The golden jersey of Menchov was as strong as the fortified walls, and resisted the attacks

Images by Unipublic

• Carlos Sastre (CSC) pours on the pressure
• Sastre attacked the favourites putting Menchov on the defensive
• Perez spent a long time off the front and earned his victory
• Perez powers through to the finish
• Perez makes his move
• Menchov wasn't getting any help from Evans
• The Liquigas train hauls the peloton along
• Caisse d'Epargne works to try and pull Efimkin back to his podium spot
• Evans knows Efimkin is dropped and puts the hammer down to move up on GC to second
• Sastre has fans in this region
• Efimkin's second place was slipping away, despite the hard work from his team

Stage 17 - September 19: Ciudad Real - Talavera de la Reina , 180km

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• Daniele Bennati (Lampre) gets consolation in a stage win after being denied selection for the Italian Worlds team
• The fierce battle to the line saw Bennati well ahead of his competitors
• Bennati's win was a big coup after he beat two Italians who made the Worlds squad
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre) receives his prize for the stage win
• Jorge García and Juan Olmo formed the long breakaway of stage 17

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The stge 17 sprint went to Bennati
• Bennati gets his second win
• Bettini's evaluation of the sprint
• Bennati on the podium after winning stage 17
• The lunge for the line and Bettini pips Petacchi for second
• Bettini tried but couldn't match Bennati's speed
• Petacchi is kicking himself for losing a sprint tailor-made for his abilities
• He makes it look easy
• Bennati gets sweet revenge after being denied a spot on the Italian team for Worlds

Images by Unipublic

• Euskaltel-Euskadi helped Lampre chase but got nothing in the end
• There's always a horseman to follow the Vuelta
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) rides along with a Euskaltel-Euskadi rider
• Jorge García (Relax-GAM) gets a bottle from the team car to help fuel his breakaway efforts
• The peloton speeds past the desert-like landscape
• The hot summer sun beats down on the weary peloton
• Juan Olmo (Andalucia-Cayasur) leads Jorge García in their breakaway
• Milram and Lampre chase
• García and Olmo try to resist
• García and Olmo finally concede to the chasing peloton
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) is getting closer and closer to the overall win
• Marcus Ljungqvist (CSC) gets some mechanical help
• André Greipel (T-Mobile) goes back to the team car for food
• Scott Davis (T-Mobile) and Allan Davis (Discovery Channel) are brothers
• Bennati easily beat Bettini and Petacchi for his second stage win

Stage 16 - September 18: Jaen- Puertollano , 165km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) won the 16th stage after attacking the breakaway

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) gets a trophy for winning stage 16
• Menchov's Rabobank team-mates kept him safe for another day
• The peloton comes home over seven minutes behind the break
• Remnants of the break come across the line
• Duque was chuffed to win his first race of the year
• A serious salute for Colombian Leonardo Duque
• Duque took advantage of his moment to express several different emotions
• Happy dance
• Duque takes the sprint
• Duque begins his salute
• Duque looking serious on the podium
• Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) on the stage winner's podium
• The Colombians are known for being climbers but not so much for sprinting, but Duque proved the country has versatile riders
• Menchov comes home
• The yellow jersey group makes it to the finish
• The remains of the break were in tatters
• The breakaway fell apart after arguments over who would do the work and who wouldn't
• Duque's serious side showed after his stage win
• A win in the fading light of late summer Spain
• Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) beats Kolobnev and Horrach
• The sprint opens up with the chasers just behind

Images by Unipublic

• Uh, I can see the break! 'Yeah, we'll get them sooner or later.' It turned out to be later, as in 'too late.'
• Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) wins the three-up sprint.
• Duque was all too happy with a rare Colombian sprint win.
• The break still working together.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) still leads the Vuelta a España and he only has a few more days of defending left. Unfortunately they are really tough days...
• Quick.Step-Innergetic shared a bit of the workload.
• The Rabobank boys have everything under control as they defend the jersey oro of Denis Menchov.
• Jurgen Van Goolen (Discovery Channel) leads the mountain's classification right now but can he hold on when push comes to shove later in the week?
• In German the term water carrier ('Wasserträger') is used for a domestique and Maryan Hary (Cofidis) shows us why.

Stage 15 - September 16: Villacarrillo - Granada , 205km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Sanchez beats Beltran in a two-up sprint for stage 15
• This is what victory feels like
• A big punch in the air for Sanchez
• Sammy Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was full of smiles after winning stage 15
• A happy Sanchez on the podium
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) maintains his lead in the Vuelta after stage 15
• The Spanish fans were out en force to watch the stage to Grenada

Images by Unipublic

• Beltrán and Sánchez worked hard on the front.
• The peloton starts to feel the heat and the gradient. They stretched out on the lower parts of the climb and eventually fell into little pieces.
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel) was going a bit better than on the day when he lost the jersey oro.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) on the descent. He stayed with the leader's jersey group all the way to Granada
• Sastre looks to see how Evans is doing while the duo tries to keep up with the Russian in oro.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) stayed in gold after the Alto de Monachil obstacle was cleared.
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Karpin-Galicia) was reported as having abandoned during the stage but nothing could be further from the truth as the Spaniard ended in 12th, in the Menchov group.
• The climb split things up and Menchov was looking to keep things under control.
• Things looked pretty orange on the front for a while as Rabobank and mostly Euskaltel tried to reduce the gap to the break.
• Sánchez beat Beltrán in the two-up sprint.
• Sastre tried to attack and gain time on his overall rivals but they were attentive.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Carlos Barredo (Quickstep) concentrates on the climb ahead
• Yuriy Krivtsov (Ag2r) gets some help on the Monachil
• Stephan Schreck (T-Mobile) climbs the Monachil
• Torsten Hiekmann (Gerolsteiner) all alone on the Monachil
• Paolo Bettini finds the going tough on the stage 15 climb
• Andrea Tonti (Quickstep) was part of the big breakaway, and took some mountain points
• Oliver Zaugg (Gerolsteiner) on the climb
• Jurgen Van Goolen (Discovery) leads the mountains competition
• Sammy Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) gets a trophy for the mantle
• Sanchez tries to flex but nothing's happening
• Vladimir Efimkin leads Evans and Menchov to the line
• Daniel Moreno (Relax) leads the third group home
• Igor Anton (Euskaltel) happy for his team-mate who won the stage
• Carlos Barredo stops his clock while Anton celebrates his team's win
• Two Spaniards one happy, one sad
• The main peloton climbs the Monachil
• The grupetto takes it easy on the final climb
• Carrasco and Garcia de Mateo struggle to make the final ascent
• One of the many groups which formed on the final climb
• Paolo Bettini isn't enjoying this
• This group finished four minutes down
• Chris Horner and team-mates did their job for Evans
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery) heads up the last climb
• Devolder lost 2'32 after leading the Vuelta in the first week
• The peloton was in pieces on the last climb
• Jurgen Van Goolen (Discovery) takes the mountain points
• The evil Alto de Monachil climb.
• Cunego comes up the climb.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) still ha a bandage visible from his crash on day one.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) has the jersey unzipped but the legs were going well.
• Damiano Cunego had a good day but decided after his sixth place to drop out and recover from his injuries.
• Euskaltel led the case on the Alto de Monachil.
• Manuel Beltrán (Liquigas) on the final climb which was pretty steep.
• The Spaniard was the first rider up the hill.
• David López García (Caisse d'Epargne) looks like he doesn't enjoy the climb too much.
• The Alto de Monachil looks like desert but the uphill was even tougher to deal with.
• The remnants of the break are caught.
• Euskaltel was making the pace and were rewarded with the stage victory by Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi)
• Carlos Sastre and Denis Menchov on the Alto de Monachil.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) is still in the jersey oro and leading the Vuelta, going into the last week.
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) can sleep better now that he knows that his brother has a contract with Quick.Step-Innergetic.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) in the white jersey, hanging tough with the yellow jersey group.
• The Menchov group
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Karpin-Galicia) on the climb. The Spaniard had a good race so far.

Stage 14 - September 15: Puerto Lumbreras - Villacarrillo (Parque Natural Sierra de Cazorla) , 205km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Philip Deignan (AG2r Prévoyance) attacks.
• Philip Deignan (AG2r Prévoyance) pulls away from his group.
• Xabier Zandio (Caisse d'Epargne) jumps ahead, away from his companions.
• Xabier Zandio (Caisse d'Epargne) hammers.
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) climbs in the saddle.
• Christian Vande Velde (Team CSC) pushes the pace
• Thomas Lövkvist (Française des Jeux) in the saddle.
• Juan Manuel Garate (Quickstep - Innergetic)
• Haimar Zubeldia (Euskaltel - Euskadi) clad in orange.
• Orange, orange, everywhere…
• Team Rabobank controls the group for their leader.
• Team Rabobank looking to protect the overall lead.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) is the overall leader.
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre - Fondital) in the main peloton.
• The peloton
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) raises his arms to celebrate.
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) wins the stage.
• Winner Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) put in a monster effort.
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) breathes hard at the end.
• Thomas Lövkvist (Française des Jeux) approaches the line.
• Thomas Lövkvist (Française des Jeux) finishes stage 14.
• Thomas Lövkvist (Française des Jeux) was second for the day.
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) finishes stage 14.
• Alessandro Vanotti (Liquigas) took fifth.
• Juan Manuel Garate (Quickstep - Innergetic) finishes a long day in the saddle.
• All smiles for the winner Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel)
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) gets podium kisses.
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) accepts the winner's flowers.

Images by Unipublic

• The 11-man escape makes its way along the Spanish countryside.
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) starts the attacking.
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) leads the 11-man move.
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) awarded for his efforts.
• Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) hamming along to his first win of 2007.
• Bang! Jason McCartney (Discovery Channel) takes Vuelta a España stage 14 after a solo bid of nearly 10 kilometres.

Stage 13 - September 14: Hellin - Torre-Pacheco , 150km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) and Tom Stamsnijder (Gerolsteiner) were the two fighting it out for victory.
• Klier can relax as Stamsnijder has set up and realizing his attack may have come too early.
• Andreas Klier wins his first Vuelta stage win.
• For the German it was worth fighting through the rain.
• Stamsnijder was disappointed that his brace riding wasn't rewarded.
• The German left behind the Dutch rider.
• Klier triumphs in the Vuelta!
• A tiger jump of both Benna and Petacchi at the end.
• The field sprint for fourth was contested as it were for victory.
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) has his nose ahead of Petacchi.
• Erik Zabel (Milram) on the left looks on to see if the lead-out he provided for his team-mate Petacchi was enough. It wasn't.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) narrowly missed out on winning the field sprint for fourth.
• Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) takes to the podium.
• Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) with some Spanish kisses on the podium.
• Jérémy Roy (Française Des Jeux) rolled in for third.
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) finishes.
• Stage winner Andreas Klier (T-Mobile)
• Andreas Klier (T-Mobile) with well deserved kisses.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) awarded for the overall lead.

Images by Unipublic

• Lampre-Fondital lead the chase.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) looks cool in the maillot oro.
• Heavy rains dominated stage 13.
• Tom Stamsnijder (Gerolsteiner) leads the successful escape.
• World Champ Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) shines through the rain.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) gets a push after some servicing.

Stage 12 - September 13: Algemesí - Hellín , 167km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The sprint opens up on the long, straight boulevard
• Bennati and Petacchi go head to head
• Ale-Jet knew he had it on the bike throw ahead of Bennati
• Petacchi begins his salute
• Petacchi celebrates along with team-mate Erik Zabel in the background
• Rooooooaaaaaaaaaar! Petacchi screams with delight after winning the sprint
• A snare drum is an unusual prize for the stage winner - maybe Petacchi can start a marching band?
• Smiles for Petacchi on the podium
• Petacchi all cleaned up and happy on the podium after winning stage 12
• Menchov gets the leader's jersey after stage 12
• Another trip to the podium for Menchov
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) is looking more and more comfortable in the maillot oro
• That one hurt! Petacchi looks a little pained after his second win of the Vuelta
• Petacchi looks for an exit from the press of the media
• A little time to rehydrate for the stage winner
• Petacchi composes himself before confronting the media scrum
• Petacchi gets congratulations from his team-mate
• Hugs for the stage winner
• Petacchi gets congratulated by his team-mate on a job well done
• The bike throw decides the finish and Bennati is denied
• Disappointed faces behind Ale-Jet
• Nice biceps, Ale-Jet - Petacchi salutes rather emphatically after his second Vuelta win
• Paolo Bettini didn't make the split but still gets to keep the points leader's jersey
• The podium is that way Alessandro - Petacchi gets directions
• Petacchi right where he wants to be on the podium getting applause and kisses
• Denis Menchov has nine more stages before he can keep this golden jersey

Stage 11 - September 12: Castellón - Algemesi , 190km

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Images by Unipublic

• The sign of the Vuelta
• Paolo Bettini shares a laugh with the Saunier Duval team car
• It was a long, hot day in the saddle for Lopez and Garcia de Mateo
• López takes the lead while his breakaway companion takes time to hydrate
• The breakaway of Raul García de Mateo (Relax-GAM) and José Antonio López (Andalucia-Cayasur)
• Menchov rides along on a day for the sprinters
• Menchov gets more podium time after holding his lead through stage 11
• Denis Menchov in gold looks firmly in control of the jersey
• Rabobank sits behind the Milram train
• 20km to go
• Petacchi takes the sprint breaking a dry spell that has lasted the whole race
• Egoi Martinez gets help from Chechu Rubiera
• Over the bridge the peloton are just specks from this distance
• Stragglers try to stay in contact with the retreating peloton

Images by AFP

• Cadel Evans awaits the start of stage 11
• Petacchi barrels toward the line
• Petacchi is elated to finally get a stage win
• Petacchi salutes while his team-mate Zabel celebrates behind

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) heading the sprint.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) wins the sprint
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) leads the sprint with the help of Zabel.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) celebrates.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) with Erik Zabel (Milram)
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) and Alberto Ongarato (Milram) celebrate.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) and Matej Jurco (Milram).
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) wins his 18th Vuelta career win.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) rolls in.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) awarded on the podium with a strange trophy.
• Victor Cordero , director of the Vuelta.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) in the points jersey.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) with the points jersey.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) awarded.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) won the mountains jersey today, with a little dig on the smaller climb. He now leads over Denis Menchov (Rabobank).
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) enjoys the kisses.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) rolls in.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) after the day's racing.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) awarded.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) on the stage as stage winner, his 18th time in the Vuelta.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) keeps golden.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) kept the maillot oro.

Stage 10 - September 10: Benasque - Estación de esquí de Ordino Arcalís , 220km

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Images by AFP

• Russian Denis Menchov (Rabobank) gives a victory salute.
• Menchov (Rabobank) puts on the leaders jersey.
• Russian Denis Menchov (Rabobank) celebrates on the podium after winning.
• Spain's Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel) is exhausted at the end of the 10th stage
• Menchov (Rabobank) waves to fans before the 10th stage.

Images by Unipublic

• The peloton winds its way down through the Spanish mountain ranges.
• Carlos Barredo (Quickstep - Innergetic) gasping for breath after the stage.
• Manuel Beltrán (Liquigas) leads Ludovic Turpin (Ag2r Prévoyance) in a last ditch attack to win the stage.
• The early break of the day included world champion Bettini and Damiano Cunego.
• The peloton made their way through some beautiful country today.
• Team CSC were active on the front , they wanted the win today.
• The remnants of the early break.
• Denis Menchov wins the stage from Cadel Evans (Predictor - Lotto) and Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel - Euskadi).
• Rabobank lead the peloton for much of the day, here with Marc De Maar and Theo Eltink.
• Sastre lead the attacks on the final climb.
• Sastre put in 2 attacks in the final 2km but could not shake the rest of the group.
• The last 2 remaining riders from the early break , Turpin and Van Goolen.
• Van Goolen lauches his attack from the early break.
• Xabier Zandio (Caisse d'Epargne) leads Mario Aerts (Predictor-Lotto) on an attack.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) wins.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) finishes.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) took the stage honours.
• Overall leader Denis Menchov (Rabobank) on the podium.
• Golden day. Denis Menchov (Rabobank) retains overall lead.
• The lead group hits the top of the climb.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) looked good.
• Oliver Zaugg (Gerolsteiner) is showing well in the 2007 Vuelta.
• Carlos Barredo (Quick.Step - Innergetic) is on good form.
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel) had a hard day.
• Leonardo Bertagnolli (Liquigas)
• The leaders charge up the Arcalís.
• Up the Arcalís.
• The riders head up the Arcalís.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) had to drop out of the escape group.
• One kilometre to go.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) was in the escape for the first part of the day.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) thinking of the sprint stages to come.
• The gruppetto on its way up.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) after the hard day.
• Carlos Barredo (Quick.Step - Innergetic) rode well.
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel) cools off.
• Giuseppe Guerini (T-Mobile) was in the escape for most of the day.
• José Angel Gomez Marchante (Saunier Duval-Prodir) had a disappointing day.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) dressed to kill in the points jersey.
• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step - Innergetic) after a demanding day.

Stage 9 - September 9: Huesca - Estación de esquí Cerler (Grupo Aramón) , 174km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) wins the stage up to Cerler.
• The Italian beat Denis Menchov of Rabobank, but the latter was happy to get the jersey oro.
• Piepoli on the podium receiving the winner's prize.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) smiles as he is now the leader of the Vuelta.
• Menchov receiving the winner's treatment which he doesn't seem to mind at all.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Efimkin with jersey wide open and Beltrán heading to the finish.
• Igor Antón (Euskaltel-Euskadi) together with Lopez and Karpets from Caisse d'Epargne.
• Vladimir Karpets (Caisse d'Epargne) finishes.
• A small group of riders struggle with the gradient as the Pyrenees aren't too friendly to the non-climbers.
• Ca you spot the sprinters in this picture?
• The scenery would have been enjoyable if there wasn't race to compete in.
• The gruppetto.
• Ezequiel Mosquera (Karpin-Galicia) was the surprise of the day and got third.
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC) hung on to only lose ten seconds.
• Oliver Zaugg (Gerolsteiner) finished only 50 seconds behind.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) wins the stage ahead of Menchov.
• Menchov was noticably happy with taking the lead.
• Menchov on the podium.
• Piepoli attacked but couldn't lose Menchov.
• Piepoli shows the strain, yet Mechov looks relaxed.
• Menchov looks to be taking it easy.
• Piepoli done most of the pace making on the final climb.
• Carlos Sastre, as always not far behind the action.
• Oliver Zaugg (Gerolsteiner) had a great ride to finish 5th on the stage.
• The group that contained Cadel Evans , with the Pyrenees as a backdrop.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) and Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas)
• Evans rode consistently and now sits 3rd on GC.
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) is 2nd overall.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel - Euskadi)
• The group contained most of the GC riders.
• Lopez and Karpets from Caisse d'Epargne.
• Igor Antón (Euskaltel-Euskadi).
• Philip Deignan and Stéphane Goubert of AG2r Prévoyance
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre - Fondital) still showing the signs of his stage 1 crash.
• Stijn Devolder lost the jersey today to Menchov, being lead here by Jurgen Van Goolen.
• Piepoli took the stage and Menchov moved into the lead.
• The peloton weave their way up the high mountains.
• The peloton, or what was left of it.
• The main field was happy to let the GC contenders fight it out on their own today.
• The peloton.
• Devolder had a bad day. losing more than 5 minutes.
• Devolder struggled but gave it everything to hold onto the jersey.
• The peloton cruising along.
• Piepoli's ride today moved him into 13th overall.
• Piepoli happy on the podium.
• Piepoli with his trophy.
• Piepoli on the podium.
• Mechov doned the leaders jersey after his ride today.

Images by Karpin Galicia

• Riders cool down after a tough stage.
• A Karpin Galicia listens to a playback presumably?
• Serafín Martínez Acevedo (Karpin Galicia) leads the mountains classification.
• Martínez Acevedo with his flowers.

Images by Unipublic

• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) suffers and holds.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) and Denis Menchov (Rabobank) charge ahead.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) ups the pace towards victory.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) wins.

Stage 8 - September 8: D. O. Cariñena - Zaragoza (ITT) , 49km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Devolder during his all-out effort at the end of the race.
• Bert Grabsch (T-Mobile) with the winner's trophy
• Grabsch was still exhausted after his great ride but the ladies were able to administer some first aid.
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel) in gold and a dream come true.
• Devolder is all smiles as he realizes that he will now have the chance to defend the jersey all the way to Madrid.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Gomez Marchante (Saunier Duval) said he didn't like the course at all as it was only for specialists and finished over six minutes down.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was happy with his ride and said he was motivated by having Galdeano in the team car behind.
• Chris Anker Sørensen (Team CSC) during the eight stage in the Spanish desert.
• Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) suffered from sickness and could not deliver his best performance.
• Manuel Beltrán (Liquigas) is not keen on riding time trials.
• Leonardo Bertagnolli (Liquigas) is in the top ten.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) used a good time trial to get himself into sixth place overall.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) was hoping to not ride over thorns which can be found in the area.
• Evans did not have his best day and could not ride for victory.
• Devolder with the Spanish country side in the background. The outskirts of Zaragoza were a reason to ride faster and get home.
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel) in the Spanish nom-man's land, but he knew exactly where he was heading.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) knew that he would concede time and be out of the GC picture, which wasn't his goal anyway.
• Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) started with a power gel tucked underneath his left sleeve, which gave him enough energy to finish 14th.
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) was the last to go and the only ones behind him were the photographers.
• Bert Grabsch (T-Mobile) on his lonely way to victory.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) did a great ride but couldn't keep up wit Devolder.
• Carlos Sastre was realistic before the start and said that it's not going to be a good day for him.
• Efimkin struggled but is still in third place overall.
• The Russian is not a time trial specialist.
• Grabsch on the podium.
• The German is enjoying the attention. He has gotten 4tn and 5th before but never won a Vuelta time trial.
• Miguel Indurain handed out the golden jersey to Stijn Devolder.
• Devolder enjoyed the moment with the famous 5-time Tour winner. "It was very nice," he said.
• Devolder smiles as he realizes the jersey fits well. Now he wants to keep it.
• Devolder deservedly gets the attention of everyone on a special day.
• Golden girls and boys
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) took it easy in Spain.
• Santiago Pérez (Relax-GAM) struggles in the heat.
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre) is more used to sprinting than riding all by himself.
• Oscar Freire is like Bennati and prefers a bunch.
• Vladimir Karpets (Caisse d'Epargne) grits his teeth in the desert.
• Igor Antón (Euskaltel-Euskadi) wished for a few hills pointing upward, not just downward.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) during his impressive time trial.
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC) is not a specialist and he tried to limit his losses, but he will be eager to tackle the mountains now
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) in his last kilometres in the golden jersey. For now.
• Efimkin rides along on Spanish roads.
• The signs are ready. Hopefully the racers are as well.
• The landscape was slightly more interesting than in the Tour of Qatar.
• It was hot, hot, hot as the interstate didn't offer much shade, except for the occasional bridge.
• A three-man team time trial under Spanish sun? Getting three riders at the same spot is a rather rare occurrence but it does happen. Apparently.
• Thomas Lövkvist (Française Des Jeux) can be doing well in time trials, but was over four minutes back this time.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) fully concentrated as he races along the interstate on the outskirts of Zaragoza.
• Paolo Bettini always takes it easy in the time trials as he doesn't compete for the overalls. His mind is now solely on the Worlds in Stuttgart.
• Bradley McGee (Française Des Jeux) prefers shorter distances like in a prologue.
• Good for the specialists, but otherwise the course didn't offer too much variety.
• No drafting allowed!
• A 'cross-team pursuit' developed between these three riders.
• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step - Innergetic) looks good in the time trial and actually finished high up for a sprinter in 20th place.
• Laszlo Bodrogi (Crédit Agricole) is the Hungarian champion and he showed why, being on the leaderboard until Grabsch blasted through.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) usually has a lead-out man with him, but this time his shadow was the only companion.
• Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) in his home country but he didn't quite feel at home in the time trial today.
• Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) has stylish sun glasses to go with his stylish bike and his stylish riding style.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) during his time trial.
• The Aussie has had better days in time trials. The season has been long and he will be happy to take some time off soon.
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery Channel) clearly gave all he could as his face of pain was showing for multiple kilometres.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) en route to the mountains, which he prefers to the time trialing.
• Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) never goes too far away from his power gel.

Stage 7 - September 7: Calahorra - Zaragoza , 140km

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Images by AFP Photo

• A happy Zabel with the trophy shining in the Spanish afternoon sun.
• The sprint was fiercly contested, even if there few left left to be in the mix.

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• José Gómez Marchante (Saunier duval-Prodir) at the sign in.
• Race leader Efimkin leaves the Caisse d'Epargne team bus before the race.
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) gets his bike ready for another ride in oro.
• Efimkin leaves the sign-in podium and hopes to later climb on the finishing one to receive another golden jersey.
• The sun shines on the golden helmet of race leader Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne).
• Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) comes down the stairs of the podium that aren't quite so easy to handle with the cleats.
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC) also carefully looks out that he doesn't subject himself to an unfortunate pre-race accident.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) has more points in the combination classification but that actually means a lower ranking. He gets to wear the white jersey though as Efimkin's body already carries yellow.
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) is confident he will keep the jersey at least through today as another sprint is expected.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) has been the dominating sprinter so far with three wins. With another mad dash to the line expected he'll want to get as much out of the Worlds preparation as possible.
• The peloton await the things to come.
• Daniele Bennati and Tom Boonen are two of the sprinters who have mostly seen Freire's back, though Bennati won one stage.
• Bjarne Riis at the start supporting his CSC team. Since his doping admission he had been rarely seen.
• Bjarne Riis is there to guide his CSC team
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) smiles as he signs on in a borrowed jersey.
• Oscar Pereiro adjusts his shades for a better view but with his team-mate leading the outlook couldn't be any better.
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) is happy that his brother Alexander is finally in negotiations for a new contract. It took his win and the press conference to get things going.
• Paolo Bettini during a pre-race dance. Different warm-up methods are used in different teams...
• And what kind of music is the world champ listening to anyway? Or is it just the coach yelling?
• A pensive Tom Boonen would love to win today.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) is getting ready to tackle the last sprinters' chance before the time trial.
• Gomez Marchante is happy to start the race soon.
• Tom Boonen relaxed, leaning on his saddle. So far the Vuelta hasn't given him the top spot yet, but he'll keep trying.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) looks a bit banged up still after his early crash, but is ok to ride today.
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) shyly comes out of the bus but he is ready to race for another sprint win.
• Cunego clearly shows the impact the crash left but he is ready to carry on.
• The small sprint unfolds.
• Allan Davis of Discovery Channel (centre) gives it all as he pushes towards the line.
• Davis throws his arms up in the air.
• All eyes on the Aussie while the stage winner Zabel goes unnoticed.
• Efimkin comes in, but no panic as he was awarded the same time as the winner.
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) keeps gold and will try to defend it in the time trial.
• The sprint in full swing as Zabel does the 'tiger jump'
• The sprint group was very small today as most others were held up in a crash in the last two kilometres.
• Davis celebrates, but it is Zabel who prevails using his Milano-Sanremo experience to get it right.
• Philippe Gilbert (Française Des Jeux) is exhausted and couldn't quite pull it off in the end.
• Erik Zabel (Milram) on the podium.
• The German beat the Aussie to get onto the podium in a tight race for first.
• The stage winner Zabel gets the trophy and a cute teddy bear for company.
• Erik Zabel is all smiles.
• He has been missing the kissing for a while but it till feels good.
• Efimkin is happy to not have been injured in the crash and is now ready to tackle the tough weeks ahead.
• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) would like to get used to this celebration business.
• A happy Russian is treated to some nice kissing on the podium.
• German sprinter Zabel can still win, get kissed and wave, all at the same time.

Stage 6 - September 6: Reinosa - Logroño , 195km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Korff and Fernandez see Freire speed past to victory
• Not Furlan nor Petacchi nor anyone else could stop Freire from winning
• Fernandez and Boonen denied by Freire
• Freire again!
• Freire decided on this salute showing his 'guns'
• Efimkin feels the heat but looks cool in gold
• Freire waves to the crowd
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) steps up on the stage winners' podium
• More kisses for Freire
• Freire looking serene after his third stage win
• Vladimir Efimkin on the podium once again
• Another day in gold for the Caisse d'Epargne man
• Efimkin is starting to get good at the podium ceremony
• Freire is fast this year and leads the points classification
• Freire heads to get cleaned up after his third stage win
• Efimkin made it through another day in the golden jersey
• The charge to the line is wide open and straight
• Freire foils the others yet again - getting his third stage of the Vuelta
• Freire on the stage winner's podium
• Vladimir Efimkin still in gold is getting quite familiar with the podium girls
• Oscar Freire in the points leaders jersey after adding to his lead with the third stage win

Stage 5 - September 5: Cangas de Onís - Reinosa , 155km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Freire takes the sprint ahead of Bennati and Bettini
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) wins stage five in Reinosa
• Freire delights in his second stage win

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Golden jersey Efimkin is protected by his Caisse d'Epargne team-mates
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) did not enjoy the hills
• Karsten Kroon (CSC) was away solo during the latter part of the stage
• Marchante away solo but his efforts were destined to be fruitless in the end
• José Angel Gomez Marchante put in a puzzling attack on the final climb
• The peloton rolls along
• Chasers crest the Puerto de la Palombera
• The bunch speeds along past some lovely rolling hills
• Freire gets his second win and extends his lead in the points competition
• The bunch gallop in Reinosa
• Freire pipped Bennati for the win of stage five
• Freire wins the sprint for stage five
• Bettini was annoyed at third place
• Freire senior brings Freire junior onto the podium
• Vladimir Efimkin held onto the golden jersey with ease on stage five
• More kisses for the Russian Vladimir Efimkin

Images by Unipublic

• The peloton rolls through some very scenic areas
• The peloton streams around a switchback
• Caisse d'Epargne had all men on deck taking care of the overall leader, Vladimir Efimkin
• The peloton passes over one of the many rivers of this area of Spain
• Vladimir Efimkin sits in the peloton in the golden jersey
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) gets some love from the President of Cantabria, Miguel Angel Revilla
• Juan Manuel Gárate (Quick.Step - Innergetic) leads the breakaway
• The early break led by Andreas Klier (T-Mobile)
• Karsten Kroon (CSC) dives downhill on his late race attack
• José Angel Gomez Marchante (Saunier Duval) attacks on the final climb
• Koos Moerenhout (Rabobank) wears his new Dutch champion's kit at the front of the bunch

Stage 4 - September 4: Langreo - Lagos de Covadonga , 182km

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Images by AFP Photo

• Vladimir Efimkin (Caisse d'Epargne) wins stage four of the Vuelta in Lagos de Covadonga
• Efimkin attacked a select group storming away to his first Grand Tour win
• Vladimir Efimkin was jubilant after the mountain top win in the mist

Images by Unipublic

• Rabobank had a strong presence at the front today
• Vladimir Karpets leads the peloton
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery) in the Belgian Champ kit is followed by Maxime Monfort
• Efimkin receives his accolades
• Vladimir Efimkin was victorious on the slops of Lagos de Covadonga
• A large breakaway formed early in the stage
• Rabobank wasn't working too hard to conserve Freire's golden jersey
• Rubén Lobato (Saunier Duval-Prodir) gets an (illegal) push from some Spanish fans
• A chase group is led by Ag2r
• Jose Angel Gómez Marchante leads Cadel Evans on the final climb
• Menchov puts the hurt on Sastre, Sorensen and Piepoli
• The peloton zooms by the scenic buildings in Spain
• Pereiro goes for the sprint but Beltran nipped him for 13th
• Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) leads a chase group up the final climb
• This is not a happy face by Sammy Sanchez
• Carlos Sastre (CSC) leads the final push to the top ahead of Rabobank's Denis Menchov
• Chris Anker Sørensen (CSC) puts in a monster effort for his leader, Carlos Sastre

Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The peloton descends near Lagos de Covadonga
• The normally stunning views were obscured by thick clouds
• The Asturias region is home to some interested geological features
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) wasn't expecting to hold the golden jersey at the end of stage four
• The autobus climbs to the finish while riders having already completed the stage descend
• High rock walls surround a group on its way to Lagos de Covadonga
• Riders a mere specks in the vast rocky landscape
• Giuseppi Guerini (T-Mobile) is riding his final race
• Sammy Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) gets some help from his team-mate Igor Anton
• Carlos Barredo (Quick.Step-Innergetic)
• Franco Pellizotti (Liquigas) didn't find the climb to be all that much fun
• José Ángel Gómez Marchante (Saunier Duval) did good work for Piepoli
• Manuel Beltran (Liquigas) ascends the final climb
• Beltran battled with Oscar Pereiro
• Chris Anker Sørensen (CSC) worked hard for Carlos Sastre
• Stéphane Goubert (Ag2r) leads Sorensen and Leondardo Bertagnolli (Liquigas)
• Maxime Monfort (Cofidis) had a super day
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) showed he still had form left from the Tour
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) wants to get revenge for a ruined Tour de France
• Stijn Devolder (Discovery) gives it his all
• Efimikin riding solo to victory on stage four
• Silly hat, girls kissing him Vladimir Efimkin gets the whole Grand Tour overall leader experience
• Stage winner Vladimir Efimkin
• Oscar Pereiro just gets pipped by Manuel Beltran
• Leonardo Bertagnolli (Liquigas) gets the better of Chris Anker Sørensen
• Cadel Evans suffered but lost a minimal amount of time to the favo
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) looked strong and focused at the finish of stage four
• Devolder takes third in the sprint behind Piepoli
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval) gets the sprint for second
• Vladimir Efimkin held off a strong push from the GC favorites to win the stage

Stage 3 - September 3: Viveiro - Luarca , 155km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step-Innergetic) wins stage 3.
• Oh my gosh, did I really just win?
• World Champion and stage 3 winner Paolo Bettini
• Paolo Bettini on the podium
• Where can I get a hat like this one modelled by Oscar Freire (Rabobank)?
• Oscar Freire receives kisses from the podium girls.
• A final bunch sprint ends stage 3.
• Paolo Bettini takes the win.
• Paolo Bettini on his way to victory.
• Paolo Bettini celebrates with his arms in the air.
• Oscar Freire after the race.
• Paolo Bettini after winning stage 3.
• Paolo Bettini with his team-mate Juan Manuel Garate
• Paolo Bettini waves to the crowd.
• Paolo Bettini adjust his cap on the podium.
• Paolo Bettini shows off his trophies.
• Paolo Bettini on the podium
• Time for the kisses for Paolo Bettini.
• Oscar Freire gets to keep his yellow.

Images by Unipublic

• The Asturia flag flies as the riders pass.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) has his shoe checked.
• David De La Fuente (Saunier Duval-Prodir) leads the escape.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) rides.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) in the Maillot Oro.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step - Innergetic) leads the race to the finish.

Stage 2 - September 2: Allariz - Santiago de Compostela , 150km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• The peloton or whatever was left of it after the crash, battles it out in Santiago.
• The sprint was uphill and fierce as everyone was gritting their teeth.
• Freire starts to celebrate.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) earned his sprinter's jersey on the second day in earnest.
• The Spaniard easily went past his rivals if they weren't already removed from the sprint by the crash, like Bennati.
• Freire takes the win ahead of world champ Bettini.
• Paolo Bettini congratulated Oscar Freire right after the finish line.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) came in after the sprinters were already done battling it out.
• Petacchi struggles home after what was a crazy finish.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) with a bandage from yesterday's crash. Now he may have to add another one for today.
• José Luis Arrieta (Ag2r Prévoyance) did not have much luck wearing the number one as riders were felled left and right.
• Caisse d'Epargne suffered a blow as its leader Oscar Pereiro got hurt in the pileup.
• Pereiro (centre) rides to the finish
• Pereiro gets a friendly push from his team-mate as he struggled across the line, his right foot hurting.
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) wasn't hurt too badly but lost any chances of another victory, let alone defending his jersey.
• Bennati was not happy and had a hefty argument with an Euskaltel rider following the crash.
• Freire holds up the famous cathedral on a day where he felt he could do anything.
• A miniature version of the cathedral in the hand and the lips on the cheeks life couldn't be better for Freire.
• Freire puts on the new wardrobe.
• The golden boy Oscar Freire in the maillot oro.
• The Spaniard smiles on the podium after a perfect sprint.
• Freire gets the golden kisses from the misses.
• Pereiro in agony without knowing if he can still contend for the overall.
• Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) finally makes it to the finish after a crazy fast and crashy last few kilometres.
• Bennati not happy that he will have to take off the jersey without a fight.
• Team Discovery Channel around Devolder the Belgian champion, comes in to the finish in Santiago

Stage 1 - September 1: Vigo - Vigo , 145km

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Images by Fotoreporter Sirotti

• Janez Brajkovic (Discovery Channel) is looking forward to do one last great race before heading on to T-Mobile.
• Five time-Tour winner Miguel Indurain was at the start of the Vuelta.
• Miguel Indurain is still very popular in Spain and gets presentations.
• Carlos Sastre (Team CSC) is making the Vuelta the highlight of his season now.
• Leonardo Piepoli (Saunier Duval-Prodir) looks forward to when the road tilts upwards.
• Cordero is the race director and is fighting against declining popularity.
• Cadel Evans (Predictor-Lotto) wants to go one step higher than in the Tour, where he got second.
• Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) is the team leader and has plenty of domestiques.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) used the Regio Tour to get in form for the Vuelta and hopes to also be able to get a stage win in the Vuelta.
• José Luis Arrieta (Ag2r Prévoyance) with his number-one bike before the start.
• José Luis Arrieta (Ag2r Prévoyance) wears number one as last year's winner Alexander Vinokourov is not at the start.
• The peloton is waiting for the Vuelta to get under way
• The start in Vigo was picturesque.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) 'warms up' in the harbour area.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) has done well in the Deutschland Tour and is looking forward to the Vuelta.
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) enjoys the sun in Vigo, which isn't a certainty in one of the greenest regions in Spain.
• Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner) wants to get in Worlds form as the world championships are in his hometown area in Stuttgart and he really wants to win that one.
• Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) is pensive before the start. He will try to win stages and get a decent GC placing.
• Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) waves to the crowd who loves the hometown boy.
• Tom Boonen (Quick.Step Innergetic) came in a hurry and didn't have time to shave. But it shouldn't slow him down in the sprints.
• Oscar Pereiro (Caisse d'Epargne) is the team's leader and highly confident for a good placing.
• Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step Innergetic) is back in action and he will use the Vuelta to get in shape to defend his rainbow jersey.
• Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) with dark glasses that won't reveal his tactics.
• Erik Zabel (Milram) uses the Vuelta to get in shape for the Worlds in his home country.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) wants to win stages and he has shown good form lately.
• Denis Menchov (Rabobank) hopes for a good race as he has done well in the Vuelta in the past.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) wants to increase his stage win tally in Spain.
• Cunego arrives with a team-mate at the finish in Vigo.
• Damiano Cunego (Lampre-Fondital) got bloody after his crash, but was able to finish the race.
• Alessandro Petacchi (Milram) in the finishing circuit.
• Pereiro and Bennati riding close to each other in the race.
• The sprint in full swing
• Bennati had time to celebrate as he beat the other sprinters.
• Oscar Freire (Rabobank) could only manage second in his home country's first stage.
• Another big win for the Italian sprint star.
• The Italian was faster than all the other sprint rockets.
• Daniele Bennati (Lampre-Fondital) wins the first stage in a sprint.
• Zabel led out Petacchi and then kept sprinting for a bit more, before rolling out.
• Petacchi got close but not close enough.
• A big trophy for a big win.
• Bennati on the podium, continuing where he left off in the Tour.
• Bennati gets to test out the first golden jersey of the 2007 Vuelta.
• Bennati tries on new colours.
• The golden jersey looks good on Bennati and his smile.
• Bennati in the golden jersey.

Images by AFP Photo

• The sprint with winner Bennati on the left, and Freire (Rabobank), Petacchi (Milram) and Boonen (Quick.Step-Innergetic) reduced to onlookers.
• Daniele Bennati (Ita) Lampre-Fondital wins the first sprint of the 2007 Vuelta a España
• Bennati also took over the first golden jersey.