THIS WEEK IN PRO CYCLING »

Get the VeloNews Email Newsletter FREE

  Learn More | Archive
Home » Top Stories » Road »

Menchov powers into Vuelta lead

Published: Sep. 4, 2005
Menchov takes the stage and the lead
Menchov takes the stage and the lead
Photo: Graham Watson

Denis Menchov isn’t one to show too much emotion, but the hard-nosed Russian pumped his fist in elation moments after roaring to victory in Sunday’s 48km time trial along Spain’s Costa Brava. The Rabobank captain took 49 seconds on overnight race leader Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros) to win his second time trial of this year’s Vuelta. The victory shot him back into overall lead and pumped new life into the race as the Vuelta heads to back-to-back summit finishes in the Pyrénées starting Monday. “I’m very satisfied with this victory,” said Menchov, who was nine seconds faster than Ruben Plaza (Comunidad Valenciana). “I’ve spent a lot of years trying to improve in the time trial and now it’s paid off. When I heard the time gaps to Heras, my morale got a boost and I felt stronger on the bike.”Hereas, too, was happy with the day's result."It was a good ride, but Menchov was on top. It was his speciality and the course wasn't as hard as it looked," said Heras, who is trying to become the first rider to win four Vueltas. Tom Danielson (Discovery Channel) led a strong performance by the North American contingent, stopping the clock for an impressive sixth place at 1:16 back and vaulting into fifth-place overall (see below). Cutting corners
Under sunny skies and a brisk headwind in the final 5km, Menchov overcame a fast start by Plaza and set the fastest splits in the final two time-checks. Menchov, a winner of the opening time trial in Granada, stopped the clock at 1 hour, 54 seconds, the only rider to come under 1:01. “The tactic was the same as Granada: go as fast as I could,” he said. “Even if I do lose the lead, I’ve already won two stages and held the lead, so that’s not so bad considering I’m not one of the favorites to win.” The determined Menchov erased a 12-second deficit to Heras and moved 37 seconds into the leader’s jersey. Race officials later slapped Heras with a 10-second penalty after the Spanish rider didn’t respect road closures on sections of the course, which was still partially open to weekend traffic along Spain’s busy Costa Brava.Heras said he hadn't been aware of official warnings, but won't let the penalty bother him."I didn't know you couldn't do that, and if I did know it wasn't allowed, I wouldn't have done it. The sanction doesn't affect my morale at all."

Menchov wins his second stage of the Vuelta
Menchov wins his second stage of the Vuelta
Photo: Graham Watson

In total, 15 riders were given time sanctions, including Francisco Mancebo (Illes Balears), who was docked two seconds for cutting corners and not respecting traffic cones that marked the course. Michael Barry (Discovery Channel) was also handed a 10-second penalty while Market Irizar (Euskaltel) was fined one minute. Danielson posted his best performance in a time trial at this distance since he began racing in Europe last season. The 27-year-old Discovery Channel rider became stronger as the course progressed and finished an impressive sixth place on the day. The strong result pushed him into fifth-place overall at 3:07 back. Danielson could consolidate his position in the GC with a strong ride in the Pyrénées. Christian Vande Velde (CSC) also rode very well, finishing in the top 20 and pushing him into 15th overall. Barry finished in the top 30 despite his 10-second penalty. Looming mountains
Menchov, meanwhile, admits he might have trouble keeping in Monday’s grueling four-climb march across the Spanish Pyrénées. “I just want to enjoy the moment,” said the ever-realistic Russian. “I’m optimistic and I am going to do my best to defend the jersey. I hope the final time trial (stage 20) will have a similar result, that way I can take back some time Heras will get on me in the mountains.” Heras rode well to defend his position against the superior Menchov, coming through with the fifth-fastest time and forfeiting less than one minute. Despite a pre-race warning not to ride inside the traffic cones, Heras cut through several corners in a desperate attempt to save time. Mancebo and Carlos Sastre (CSC) finished third and fourth, respectively. Sastre started strong, but faded against brisk head winds in the final 5km on the demanding course while Mancebo dug deep to limit the losses against the favorites. “I’m satisfied with my ride today,” said Mancebo, now fourth at 1:51 back. “Heras, Sastre and me were close all day. Menchov was the best today and I am glad for that. If Heras had kept the jersey, the race would have been defensive. Now Liberty will have to attack and that will make for a more open race.” The attacks are sure to come in Monday’s epic in the waiting, with four climbs across the Spanish Pyrénées before ending in Andorra and the summit finish at Arcalis.

Stage Results
Times changed to reflect time penalties
1. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 1:00:54
2. Ruben Plaza (Sp), Comunidad Valenciana, 0:09
3. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), Illes Balears, 0:39
4. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 0:41
5. Roberto Heras (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 0:59
6. Tom Danielson (USA), Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, 1:16
7. Victor Hugo PeÑa (Col), Phonak, 1:36
8. Uwe Peschel (G), Gerolsteiner, 1:39
9. Santos Gonzalez (Sp), Phonak, 1:45
10. Oscar Pereiro (Sp), Phonak, 1:47
FullResults

Overall
1. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 34:23:53
2. Roberto Heras (Sp), Liberty Seguros, 0:47
3. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 1:36
4. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), Illes Balears, 1:53
5. Tom Danielson (USA), Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, 3:07
6. David Blanco (Sp), Comunidad Valenciana, 3:23
7. Carlos Garcia Quesada (Sp), Comunidad Valenciana, 3:29
8. Santos Gonzalez (Sp), Phonak, 3:38
9. Michele Scarponi (I), Liberty Seguros, 3:46
10. Ruben Plaza (Sp), Comunidad Valenciana, 4:11
FullResults

Riders sanctioned
1 minute
Markel Irizar (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi10 seconds
Roberto Heras (Sp), Liberty Seguros
Michael Barry (Can), Discovery Channel
Gerrit Glomser (A), Lampre
Jurgen Van Goolen (B), Quickstep
Rik Verbrugghe (B), Quickstep
David Lopez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi
Alessandro Petacchi (I), Fassa Bortolo
Nacor Burgos (Sp), Relax Fuenlabrada5 seconds
Luis Pasamontes (Sp), Relax Fuenlabrada
Jose Miguel Elias (Sp), Relax Fuenlabrada
 José Antonio Pecharroman (Sp), Quickstep2 seconds
Francisco Mancebo (Sp), Illes Balears
Manuel Beltran (Sp), Discovery Channel
Jorge Garcia (Sp), Relax Fuenlabrada

Pena takes second for the day
Pena takes second for the day
Photo: Graham Watson

To see how today's stage unfolded, simply CLICK HERE to open our Live Update window.

Photo Gallery