Welcome to Cyclingnews' coverage of Vuelta a España stage 15. Today's stage takes the riders from Jaén to Córdoba, 167.7 kilometres. The finale features two 25.4-kilometre circuits with the Alto de San Jeronimo climb. The final ascent leaves 11.7 kilometres to race.
The riders have covered 29 kilometres and an escape group has yet to form.
Want to talk about today's stage? Do so in our forum, here is the thread.
Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) leads the race by 31 seconds on Gesink, 1:10 on Sánchez, 1:28 on Basso, 1:51 on Evans and 1:54 on Mosquera.
The stage started off under sunny skies, but the riders are facing rain in the the final part of the stage.
Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto), Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) and Robert Gesink (Rabobank) were all part of an escape at kilometre 20. Valverde's Caisse team worked to bring the group back six kilometres later.
132km remaining from 167km
There are a lot of small attacks by riders from almost every team. An escape has yet to form.
"I don't think it will be a sprint today. The problem is the climbs before of the finish – because of those, it is not possible today," André Greipel (Columbia-HTC) told Cyclingnews' Shane Stokes this morning in Jaén.
Julien El Farès (Cofidis), Aitor Hernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Alan Pérez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) crashed in the first kilometres of today's stage. They are back in the main group and they all appear to be well. El Farès, winner of stage one at Tirreno-Adriatico, visited the doctor's car.
117km remaining from 167km
The riders covered 48,900 in the first hour. That's fast. The race will slow down once an escape is established.
"We will try to get in the breakaway," Gabriel Rasch (Cervélo TestTeam) told Stokes. "I think it is a good day for that, one will go away. I will try my best to be there.
"The team wants to try to get a stage win between now and Madrid, so we will attack."
"I think today will be a sprint of 50 or 60 riders, or maybe a breakaway. But I don't think it will be as big group if one does go," said Philippe Gilbert (Silence-Lotto).
"I think a lot of teams want to control it from the start. For me that is perfect."
Gilbert said his priority is to continue building form for the world championships and so he will not dig too deep. However, if the chance presents itself for a stage win, he will take it.
109km remaining from 167km
Dutchman Martijn Maaskant (Garmin-Slipstream) returns to the main group after an escape attempt. Team Columbia is now at the front of the group.
Anthony Roux (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana) and Frantisek Rabon (Columbia-HTC) try to form an escape.
"I hope it will be dry today. I can see clouds and think if it does rain, it could be very slippery. I am 12th overall and I want to avoid any crashes," Johnny Hoogerland (Vacansoleil) told Shane Stokes.
101km remaining from 167km
Maxim Iglinsky (Astana) has another go after the trio's move failed.
He is part of a 12-man escape with Lars Boom (Rabobank), Dominik Roels (Milram), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) and Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto).
Will this be the escape of the day?
The Vuelta's three key mountain stages in Andalucía have left Alejandro Valverde looking an ever more likely winner of his first major tour title and the Xacobeo-Galicia team raging at what they see as unjust treatment of leader Ezequiel Mosquera by the race's commissaires. Team Xacobeo rage against Mosquera penalty
91km remaining from 167km
The 12 men have 4:43 over the main group. This looks to be THE escape.
____ Situation ____ - Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Lars Boom (Rabobank), Dominik Roels (Milram), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) and Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto). - Main group at 4:43
Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux) is chasing to join the front 12 riders, he is about 30 seconds behind.
Beñat Intxausti (Fuji-Servetto) punctures his tyre. Let's hope he has a faster change than Evans'.
86km remaining from 167km
Frenchman Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux) makes contact with the other 12, who have 6:45 on the Valverde group.
____ Situation ____ - Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Lars Boom (Rabobank), Dominik Roels (Milram), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) and Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto). - Main group at 6:45
This is a group of 13 riders from 11 different teams.
Some of you are asking, and yes, all 155 riders who finished yesterday's stage started today's.
64km remaining from 167km
The escape has passed through the feed zone with a 12:15 advantage on the main group of race leader Valverde. They have around 64 more kilometres to race.
It's a good advantage, but can it hold until the end?
The riders covered 43 kilometres in the second hour, down from the 48.9 kilometres in the first hour.
Once the escape goes free the pace typically slows. The pace will rise towards the end of the stage if the sprinters' teams begin to work to bring the escape back.
Want to talk about today's stage? Do so in our forum, here is the thread.
62km remaining from 167km
The advantage rises to 13:16 for the 13 leaders.
A reminder of our leaders: Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Lars Boom (Rabobank), Dominik Roels (Milram), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) and Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto)
They formed the move after 66 kilometres.
55km remaining from 167km
The advantage has grown to 15:34.
Russian Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale) takes the first sprint ahead of Dominik Roels (Milram) adn Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia).
Caisse is leading the group through Cordoba, while the escape is on the first climb of the day.
The advantage is 18 minutes now.
The escapees climb San Jerónimo.
We see Italy's Enrico Gasparotto (Lampre-NGC) back in the team cars. He is getting some water bottles for the team.
50km remaining from 167km
Canadian Svein Tuft (Garmin-Slipstream) abandons the Vuelta a España, bringing the number of riders down to 154.
49km remaining from 167km
The advantage keeps growing. Caisse is not concerned about the escapees, who have 19:05. None of the 13 riders are a threat to the overall classification.
____ Situation ____ - Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Lars Boom (Rabobank), Dominik Roels (Milram), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) and Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto). - Main group at 19:05
Valverde has all of his Caisse men on the front going up the San Jerónimo. They are 19:35 behind the front 13.
Do you think of Robert Gesink (Rabobank) can win the Vuelta? He is not that far behind Valverde in the overall classification.
44km remaining from 167km
This 13-man group will stay ahead of the group until the end of the race. They have 44 kilometres to race an 19:35 on the Valverde group.
Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC) and Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) are fast sprinters in this group.
Milram and Xacobeo will have the numerical advantage when the attacks and counter-attacks start.
Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) led Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Lars Boom (Rabobank)David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) and Maxim Iglinsky (Astana) over the first ascent of Alto de San Jerónimo.
33km remaining from 167km
Serafín Martínez is at the back of the escape, stretching his legs.
The advantage is 19:05.
José Vicente Garcia (Caisse d'Epargne) leads the main group for teammate Valverde. Valverde wears gold shorts to match his gold jersey.
Will he win gold at the World Championships?
Aitor Hernández (Euskaltel-Euskadi) crashes says race radio. He rejoins the main group.
Bad news from Italy. Biondo has been suspended for testing positive for blood booster EPO.
/news/biondo-suspended-for-epo-positive
Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) attacks his companions. He takes the special sprint and waits for Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) and the rest of the group.
27km remaining from 167km
The advantage is 18:43. The main group just passed the top of San Jeronimo for the first time.
24km remaining from 167km
Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC), Lars Boom (Rabobank), Dominik Roels (Milram) and Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) attack the escape.
23km remaining from 167km
The front four start San Jeronimo for the second time. Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC) loses pace.
____ Situation ____ - Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC), Lars Boom (Rabobank), Dominik Roels (Milram) and Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) - Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram) and Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto). - Main group at 18:14
22km remaining from 167km
Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) and Lars Boom (Rabobank) continue ahead.
Lars Boom (Rabobank) attacks and distances the Spaniard.
____ Situation ____ - Lars Boom (Rabobank), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) - Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC), Dominik Roels (Milram) - Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram) and Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto). - Main group at 18:14
21km remaining from 167km
Lars Boom (Rabobank) is the 2008 'cross World Champion and the 2007 Under 23 time trial champion.
Dominik Roels (Milram) rides alone, the remainder of the escapees, led by Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), are pulling him back.
____ Situation ____ - Lars Boom (Rabobank) - Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) - Dominik Roels (Milram) - Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram) and Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto). - Main group at 18:14
David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) joins with teammate Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia).
The second ascent of the San Jerónimo is cracking the escape group.
____ Situation ____ - Lars Boom (Rabobank) - Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia), David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) 25" - Dominik Roels (Milram) - Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram), Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto), Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC) - Main group at 18:40
19km remaining from 167km
Lars Boom (Rabobank) has 27" on the chasers. If he gets to the top he can time trial the final 11.7 kilometres.
18km remaining from 167km
Lars Boom (Rabobank) has 35". So his advantage is growing. He also has 18:57 on the Valverde group, he will stay clear of it.
David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) chases solo.
16km remaining from 167km
Boom is on a slight descent.
Boom is a four time world champion: 2008 Cyclo-Cross 2007 U23 Cyclo-Cross 2007 U23 Time Trial 2003 Junior Cyclo-Cross
He has 5Km to climb, but his advantage is growing.
15km remaining from 167km
Boom has 44"
____ Situation ____ - Lars Boom (Rabobank) - David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) 44" - Dominik Roels (Milram), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Alexander Efimkin (AG2R La Mondiale), Martin Velits (Milram), Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto), Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC) - Main group at 18:54
14km remaining from 167km
He is still on a descent, his jersey is unzipped. He has three km to climb, so the road will tilt back up again.
Boom is 44" ahead of Herrero and 48" on the rest of the chasers
13km remaining from 167km
Boom has his radio ear piece out so he won't have any time checks from his director on his gap to Herrero, which is 43".
12km remaining from 167km
David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) rides ahead of Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Martin Velits (Milram), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia)
11km remaining from 167km
Lars Boom (Rabobank) rides over the top of San Jeronimo.
____ Situation ____ - Lars Boom (Rabobank) - David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) 53" - Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Martin Velits (Milram), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) - Dominik Roels (Milram), Mathieu Ladagnous (Française des Jeux), Christian Meier (Garmin-Slipstream), Olivier Kaisen (Silence-Lotto), Vicente Reynes (Columbia-HTC) - Main group at 18:54
Leonardo Duque (Cofidis), Martin Velits (Milram), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Alexandr Kolobnev (Saxo Bank), Maxim Iglinsky (Astana), Serafín Martínez (Xacobeo Galicia) cross the top at 1:46 behind Boom.
7km remaining from 167km
Boom has 59"
5km remaining from 167km
David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) still chases solo. He overshoots a corner, but keeps his bike upright.
1km remaining from 167km
Boom looks certain to win this stage.
Boom, 23, takes the win. David Herrero (Xacobeo Galicia) finishes 1:35 behind.
Leonardo Duque (Cofidis) wins the sprint over Maxim Iglinsky (Astana). They finish 2:09 behind winner Boom.
The Valverde group is still out on the road and will be there for another 20 minutes.
Boom's teammate Gesink is second overall. He will mark Valverde in the final kilometres.
Boom won after 4 hours and 12 minutes of racing. He finished 12:30 ago, and the favourites are still racing.
7km remaining from 167km
The main group has 7k to race. Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) leads the race down the descent. He is upping the pace, maybe hoping one of his rivals loses contact.
It was Roels that snuck in for third before the sprint for fourth.
Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) does not drop his rivals. Daniele Bennati (Liquigas) leads the race now for Basso.
They have 3km to race, 22:30 behind Boom.
Columbia lead the race for André Greipel (Columbia-HTC). Greipel will want the points for 14th.
Here comes the sprint. André Greipel (Columbia-HTC) gets it ahead of Wouter Weylandt (Quick Step). Greipel get two points for the sprint, 25:00 behind Boom.
Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) remains the race leader.
Thanks for joining us today. Please come back tomorrow.
1 Lars Boom (Ned) Rabobank 2 David Herrero (Spa) Xacobeo Galicia 3 Dominik Roels (Ger) Milram 4 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis 5 Maxim Iglinsky (Kaz) Astana 6 Alexandr Kolobnev (Rus) Saxo Bank 7 Martin Velits (Svk) Milram 8 Serafín Martínez (Spa) Xacobeo Galicia 9 Alexander Efimkin (Rus) AG2R La Mondiale 10 Mathieu Ladagnous (Fra) Française des Jeux 11 Vicente Reynes (Spa) Columbia-HTC 12 Olivier Kaisen (Bel) Silence-Lotto
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