Nibali wins time trial and captures overall lead in San Luis

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Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo) flew through the streets of San Luis to record victory on the stage four 19-kilometre time trial at the Tour of San Luis. The Italian produced the fastest time of the day to stop the clock in 24:18. His effort bested that of early pace-setter Robert Bengsch (Team Germany) by four seconds and Pedro Nicasio (Funvic-Pindamonhangaba) by an further six seconds.

"The public is very excited about the race," Nibali said. "The time trial was important for me and for us [as a team]. I am very, very happy with this win and to be in the leader’s jersey."

Nibali’s winning performance in the time trial also bumped him into the overall race lead, 26 seconds ahead of Jorge Giacinti (Scott-Marcondes) and 30 seconds ahead of Jose Serpa (Androni-Giocattoli) in third place.

"Before coming her myself and my team were training very well," Nibali said. "I am very happy with everyone on the team and know they can do the work in the next few days. Tomorrow is a stage very hard on the climb up to La Carolina. Surely, it is going to decide the overall and there are some very good riders like Giacinti and Serpa."

"We have six riders and I think that is okay, it is what some other teams [will have to control things too]," he added. "I have Brian Vandborg and we can control the race on the flats and in the climbs; we'll be able to work out a good strategy.

Nibali noted his increased fitness over last year’s race where he played the role of right-hand-man for his teammate Ivan Basso. This year, Basso will start his season at the Volta a Catalunya in March, leaving the Tour of San Luis as Nibali's opportunity to assume the driver’s seat.

‘Vamos-Vamos Argentina’

The stage three time trial started at the hottest point in the day as temperatures rose above 40 Celsius, enough to melt the tar that filled in cracks in the pavement . Riders left the start ramp and headed south-east on highway 147 before making a U-turn at 9.5 kilometres to head back along the same route into the finish, set up outside the Plaza Pringles in San Luis.

The 2009 Tour of San Luis saw Jorge Giacinti and Jose Serpa placed second and third, respectively, behind overall winner and this year’s defending champion Alfredo Lucero (Team Argentina).

Thousands of fans flooded the streets of San Luis to watch their favourite local professionals storm through the finish line. Locals beat their fists on the sideline fencing chanting ‘Vamos-Vamos Argentina,’ an anthem traditionally sung for the Argentinean National Soccer Team during their most important games.

German strong-man Robert Bengsch kicked off the time trial with the fastest time of the day at 24:22:23. His time held firm for nearly two hours until Nibali, the third to last rider of the day, stopped the clock four seconds faster.

"It was very windy today so I am very happy with my time today and with the second place," Bengsch said. "After the time trial, I went back to the hotel, took a shower, stayed there and then came back here later."

Bengsch is well-known in Germany as specialist against the clock. He proved his strength on the road this week, initiating a stage two breakaway that stuck for more than 100 kilometres. However, he didn't feel as though that effort had cost him a better result today.

"I don’t think I was tired from that breakaway because yesterday was a long stage and all I had to do was sit in the group," he said.

Tomorrow’s stage five will mark the race's Queen stage, with a 156-kilometre stage that will start in San Luis and take the riders on an undulating trek toward the daunting 40-kilometre climb up to La Carolina.