Carlos Sastre (CSC) (Image credit: Hernan Alvarez)
Team CSC's Carlos Sastre did not succeed in advancing to a second place overall in the Vuelta, but the Spanish stage race specialist kept a firm grip on the third place in the last time trial. It was a close race today and Sastre was a mere four seconds from the victory, which was snatched by Ruben Plaza (Comunidad Valenciana). Sastre finished third and the overall leader, Roberto Heras (Liberty Seguros), took a fairly surprising second place in the flat time trial.
"We knew improving to second place would be hard, but Carlos did really well today and like last year he came frighteningly close to winning the Vuelta's last time trial," said sports director Kim Andersen. "Menchov did well as expected and that didn't leave us much hope. But it was a tough fight out there and we're happy the podium spot is ours without hassle."
The Danish CSC squad, just like in the first long time trial in this year's Vuelta, has won the stage's team competition today as Christian Vande Velde was the next best in 10th place, while Nicki Sørensen and Andrea Peron finished 20th and 21st respectively.
