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Tejay Van Garderen takes lead of Spanish stage race

Published: Jun. 15, 2009

Tejay Van Garderen moved into the overall lead Monday after stage six at the Circuito Montañes in northern Spain, an important proving ground for up-and-coming pros.

The American rider on the Rabobank continental team finished second to Sergio Pardilla (Carmiooro) in the 143.6km stage from Torrelavega to Santo Toribio, some 20 seconds behind the Spanish rider.

With just one stage remaining, Van Garderen moves up into the overall lead, now 35 seconds ahead of Jonathan Castroviejo (Orbea), with Pardilla slotting into third at 1:01 back.

The 20-year-old Van Garderen was biding his time in the seven-stage challenging race in Spain’s mountainous Cantabria region, hovering in the top 10 all week before making his move in Monday’s decisive stage.

Van Garderen started Monday fourth just 24 seconds behind overnight leader Rafael Valls (Burgos Monumental), but the race leader couldn’t hang on, crossing the line fourth at 2:18 back and slipping back to fourth overall.

Van Garderen is on a hot streak, recently winning two stages and finishing third at the Olympia’s Tour in Holland and winning the overall at the Tour du Haut Anjou last month in France.

The race concludes Tuesday with the 152km seventh stage from Potes to Santander.

The final stage shouldn’t present any major obstacles for the solid all-rounder Van Garderen, considered one of America’s top prospects for future success on the pro circuit.

Starting high in the spectacular Picos de Europa, the undulating course tackles two third-category climbs before finishing in Santander, along Spain’s northern “green” coast. Rabobank will be working hard to control breakaways and defend Van Garderen’s lead to the finale.

In his first year riding with the Rabobank continental team last season, Van Garderen finished second at the Circuito Montañés and eighth at the Tour de l’Avenir.

It looks like Van Garderen is on the right track to win in Spain. The Avenir will have to wait until August.

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