Kazakh stalwart Alexandre Vinokourov wins in Chihuahua.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
Ivan Basso lines up in Chihuahua.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
The eventual podium before the start (l-r): Samuel Sanchez, Alexandre Vinokourov and Andy Schleck.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
The first attack came from Ivan Gutierrez and local boy Bernardo Colex.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
Saxo Bank star Frank Schleck rode in Chihuahua.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
UCI America Tour leader Gregorio Ladino.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
Giro winner Ivan Basso was in Chihuahua.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
Francisco Mancebo leads the Liquigas-Doimo boys.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
The podium with the Chihuahua Governor.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
The stars line up with the best Mexican riders at the presentation.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
So cute, you could almost eat it...(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
Winner Alexandre Vinokourov and the Chihuahua Governor with Vino's new dog.(Image credit: Wenceslao Rodriguez/www.wrsimagenes.com.mx)
An early break at the Vuelta Chihuahua Criterium.(Image credit: Fotografia Deportiva / www.basurero.net)
Xacobeo Galicia riders await the start.(Image credit: Fotografia Deportiva / www.basurero.net)
Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne) made the early break.(Image credit: Fotografia Deportiva / www.basurero.net)
Jakob Fuglsang (Saxo Bank) sets the pace.(Image credit: Fotografia Deportiva / www.basurero.net)
Saxo Bank's Andy Schleck before the start.(Image credit: Gilberto Gonzalez)
Juan Ruacho leads the peloton.(Image credit: Gilberto Gonzalez)
Francisco Mancebo leads Ivan Basso and Ivan Borunda.(Image credit: Gilberto Gonzalez)
Alexandre Vinokourov (l) and Andy Schleck before the start.(Image credit: Gilberto Gonzalez)
Astana's Alexandre Vinokourov made the most of his trip to Mexico and took out this year's Criterium Chihuahua ahead of a star-studded field that included Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) and Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel), who took second and third respectively.
Held on a street circuit of 4.4km, the 15-lap event was a chance for Mexican riders to make life difficult for their European counterparts and they tried their best to do so.
On lap three a quartet formed with Peter Sagan (Liquigas), Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d'Epargne), Bernardo Colex (Puebla) and Andy Schleck, although it was a front group that included these four plus Vinokurov, Sanchez, Alexander Kolobnev (Katusha), Jakob Fuglsang (Saxo Bank) and Mexican riders Cesar Vaquera and Enrique Mendez that made the race at the front.
This group had about a minute on the peloton until the last lap when Sanchez, Schleck and Vinokourov escaped, leaving their companions behind and fighting it out for line honours.
Results
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#
Rider Name (Country) Team
1
Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana
2
Andy Schleck (Lux) Saxo Bank
3
Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
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All riders with NCL-owned teams - Miami Nights, Denver Disruptors, Atlanta Rise - released from contracts and now ‘pursing other earning opportunities’
