Roberto Heras: A calm leader

Despite a heavy crash three days ago that required 15 stitches on his left leg, despite having just one last chance to reclaim the maillot oro, and until today, despite Russian Denis Menchov showing no sign of weakness, Roberto Heras displayed his usual calm. Well, that's how it was before he saw his moment to attack, writes Hernan Alvarez Macias.

Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros-Würth) seems to be a person with a steady way of being. During bad moments, he doesn't look so bad, and in good times, he doesn't show too high a mood. Heras had a really harsh time last Thursday when he crashed and hurt his left knee badly. The big question was: would this problem affect him? Would it mean his defeat?

Today, the Spaniard answered all questions in a very straightforward way, reclaiming the golden jersey from Denis Menchov (Rabobank) on a crucial stage in the southern part of the mountainous Asturias region. But at the press conference in the finish, Heras didn't seem to be overly excited - maybe that is one of the secrets of an 'old warrior' very used to the big battles on the tarmac.

"I did the last kilometre and a half in the Colladiella at my very best and [Carlos] Sastre, [Denis] Menchov and I reached the summit together," explained the current Vuelta leader. "They came with me, but it was in the descent that I could get an advantage."

Click here to read the rest of the story.