Vuelta a España 2010: Stage 19

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January 1 - September 19, Piedrahita, ESP, Road - HIS (Historical Calendar)

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Hello and welcome the Cyclingnews live coverage of stage 19 of the Vuelta a España, from Piedrahita - Toledo.

This has breakaway written all over it. There's a cat 2 climb soon after the start that takes the race up into the remote and beautiful Sierra de Gredos. This looks like it will be the launchpad for a long-range attack, given the rolling terrain that follows right to the finish. With one key mountain stage to come, the overall contenders will be happy to let the sprinters' teams chase down breakaway riders.

Before I forget it's Jens Voigt's birthday. Happy birthday Jens from CN.

It looks like Fabian Cancellara is stalling on his future. The story goes that he might buy himself out of his 2011 contract with Saxo Bank in order to join BMC, Pegasus or the Schleck team. I think Sky were in the mix at one point too. Anyway here's the story.

In other news Austria will send two riders to the Worlds. Eisel isn't actually a bad shout for a medal. I wonder what odds you'd get on him right now.

In other news, just before we get back to the race, Jonathan Chodroff has admitted to CN that he bought and used EPO in spring 2007. You can read that story, right here.

228km remaining from 231km

A bit of information on today's stage: the race passes through Carlos Sastre's home town of El Barraco, where he's sure to receive a hero's welcome. However, Sastre's an unlikely winner here.

The bunch are on the first climb of the day, a perfect launchpad for an attack or two.

We could see a number of riders plotting for glory at the Worlds try their luck and test their legs. Guys like Gilbert, Pozatto etc, etc.

221km remaining from 231km

While we wait for the bunch to wake up, let's have a quick look at how things stand on GC. Still everything to play for. It's between Nibali and Mosquera for the win and Schleck will fancy his chances, Rodriguez too perhaps, of finishing on the podium.

218km remaining from 231km

Serafin takes the points ahead of Moncoutie. The gap was ten points so it's getting closer between these two.

The pair have less than thirty seconds on the field but there are two more riders trying to get across.

206km remaining from 231km

201km remaining from 231km

The gap, now over three minutes, as these four riders push on. Roels of course has been on the attack throughout the race, including yesterday's stage.

With Milram set to fold, Roels is potentially riding to save his career. He's been with Milram since 2008 and hasn't announced what his plans are yet for 2011. If he's after a new contract he's going about it the right way by getting in breaks at the Vuelta. It means folk like myself have to keep repeating his names and his sponsor. Dominik Roels (Team Milram). See, there it is again.

38km remaining from 231km

So if you were Cancellara, could go to any team in the world, where would you sign and why? Let me know at twitter.com/dnlbenson

186km remaining from 231km

At the start of today's stage Alexis Rodriguez said: “The course is up and down all day. But I think it’s easier for the sprinters’ teams to control because they can let a breakaway cruise five minutes ahead of the bunch. The finale is not easy though. There’s a hill just before the finish and that might not be good at all for Cavendish. It suits Philippe Gilbert to perfection. He looks like being the strongest rider of this Vuelta.”

The man himself, Gilbert had this response: “If everybody says so, it must be true”, said the Belgian. “On paper, it’s good for me. But we’ve heard there possibilities of rain during the stage, and there’s no way I’ll take risks if it’s dangerous. The roads of Toledo are known for being slippery. Yesterday I felt great when I attacked in the last ten kilometres but I thought it was more technical after the 7-km to go mark. In fact, it wasn’t, so I didn’t get much chance to resist to the bunch but I have no regret because the sprint was too dangerous for me to try anything there.”

American Teejay Van Garderen had a hard day before the rest day but is already looking forward to next year, and riding the Tour de France  “I was extremely tired after stage 16 but it sort of came around again yesterday. It’s very motivating to finish my first Grand Tour and help Cavendish and Velits. Next year I hope to get a start at the Tour de France.”

Meanwhile the break are going through Navarredondillawith. The gap is heading towards seven minutes, as Liquigas continue to control the bunch.

Tyler Farrar, fourth yesterday, also had a few words to say at the start: “There is only a small chance for a breakaway today. It’s a perfect course for a group to stay away. If it’s not a sprint today, there’ll be one on Sunday for sure.”

Where should Cancellara sign for 2011 (assuming he breaks his contract)?

176km remaining from 231km

63km remaining from 231km

The break have just gone through the first sprint of the day and Florencio takes maximum points. He was followed over the line by Ortega and Jufre.

73km remaining from 231km

Roche has had a puncture and is waiting for a team car. At least he doesn't have to rely on Gadret this time around.

And we're in El Barranco the home town of 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre. He's getting a huge welcome from his fans on the side of the road. And well deserved, he's been a fine servant for Spanish cycling over the years.

151km remaining from 231km

96km remaining from 231km

Another birthday today. Juan Antonio Flecha is 33. Happy birthday.

Liquigas will be more than happy to have some help at the head of the bunch. The overall will be settled tomorrow and they'll want to save as much energy as possible.

The leaders have hit the feed but an interesting development as they're now riding into a headwind. The gap has dropped to 9.27.

121km remaining from 231km

The bunch have now reached the feed zone and there's a slight slit in the field. Meanwhile the four leaders are still clear and are making their way to the finish. They've still got a over 100km to race.

Fabian Cancellara has withdrawn from the race.

109km remaining from 231km

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95km remaining from 231km

The break were always going to find it tough today. There were only four riders, Roels must be tired from his exploits yesterday and they've also had to fight against a head wind for the last few kilometres. To their credit, they're still plugging away.

91km remaining from 231km

The break whiz through Navalcarnero, their lead continuing to come down with each pedal stroke. A few of the sprinters will start getting twitchy now. They'll know that they'll be called into action later on this afternoon. Cavendish looks relaxed and can afford to be with three wins already in this year's race.

83km remaining from 231km

82km remaining from 231km

73km remaining from 231km

67km remaining from 231km

Nice and sunny at the finish at the moment we're hearing. Remember it's a bit of an uphill sprint today with a few cobbles thrown in for good measure.

The gap down to 4.08 now. Liguigas as ever near the front of the bunch, surrounding their team leader and race leader, Nibali.

But the break are on nice long, wide roads now. Some pretty good crowds out too in Toledo.

53km remaining from 231km

The bunch are all strung out now, Van Garderen pulling at the front. The gap is now just 3.20.

Footon still present at the front. They've got a couple of descent sprinters, Cardosa came third yesterday, so he might get another chance today.

49km remaining from 231km

Ignatiev has been on the front for Katusha for the last few km. He's doing a great job but I feel sorry for the Lotto rider behind him, who isn't getting too much shelter.

The bunch swing through a tight right hand bend, and HTC move back to the front and take a long pull. Now Footon come through. Less than 39km to go now and the break aren't too far up the road.

The break aren't giving up though, they're still sharing the work and trying to stay out there for as long as possible.

 Bennati, who is back in the bunch, takes a drink and then pours some of it over his face. Walker, from Footon drifts to the back of the bunch, perhaps looking for a team car, while a Lotto jumps to the front and sets the pace.

34km remaining from 231km

Walker has his bike checked by a team mechanic - at 30mph - and then rejoins the bunch.

32km remaining from 231km

Jufre comes through to the front of the break and takes a turn but with less than 30km to go and two minutes to the bunch it's going to be really hard for these guys to stay away. Almost impossible.

26km remaining from 231km

23km remaining from 231km

Nibali grabs a quick drink, still surrounded by a gaggle of teammates.

20km remaining from 231km

20km remaining from 231km

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17km remaining from 231km

The Saxo train move up. They'll be looking to give Haedo a good jump, as well as protect Frank Schleck. Their job will be even harder after Fabian Cancellara pulled out this morning.

Garmin near the front of the bunch for the first time today. We've not seen much of them so far.

13km remaining from 231km

Lampre coming to the front. A lot of teams fancy themselves for the win today.

12km remaining from 231km

HTC, Quick Step, Lampre, Footon, Garmin, Liquigas all near the front and trying to set something up. Lotto there too, as well as Katusha.

A long switch back for the bunch, with just 9km to go.

They're all strung out out as Lampre take control.

8km remaining from 231km

7km remaining from 231km

Hondo is setting the pace and then a Footon rider takes over.

7km remaining from 231km

Very twisty roads now and there are a lot of nervous riders.

4km remaining from 231km

Barredo attacks.

He cant get a gap but does hurt the field.

4km remaining from 231km

Another Quick Step rider it's Cataldo. and Sanchez goes with him.

Is that Roche trying to come across?

3km remaining from 231km

Sanchez now taking charge and he's going clear.

A HTC rider with him though and the two have a small gap.

Sanchez and  a HTC rider have a small gap now but the bunch are coming back.

2km remaining from 231km

Less than 2km to go and they still have a gap.

All back together.

Over the cobbles but the bunch are splitting. Garmin doing lots of work.

1km remaining from 231km

Now Gilbert goes.

Gilbert opens up the sprint and Garmin and HTC are trying to come back.

Around the final bend and Gilbert or Farrar.

Gilbert takes the win!

Farrar takes second.

Pozzato took third Hinault next, then Peter Velits.

 Nibali in the top ten too so he might get more time on his rivals. Smart riding by the Italian. Smart riding from Peter Velits who may have taken a time bonus too.

Results

So two big winners today, Gilbert, great win, similar to his triumph at Amstel where he beat another Garmin rider into second place, and Nibali who with some canny riding, increased his lead on GC to 50 seconds. Stay tuned tomorrow for the crunch stage in this year's Vuelta.

All together.

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