Vuelta a Espana 2010 Photos August 28 - September 19

Vuelta a Espana 2010 Dashboard

Ag2r - La Mondiale was one of the first teams introduced when there was still some light	The Footon-Servetto kits are best viewed from this distance	Presentation panoramic and the Sevilla skyline
The view of Quick Step being introduced from the audience	Garmin-Transitions with Dave Zabriskie chatting to presenter Pedro Delgado. (That's a freshly shorn Tom Danielson in the middle next to David Millar)	Two of the race favorites (for stages at least) are Spaniards, David Arroyo and Luis Leon Sanchez of Caisse d'Espargne chatting to presenter Pedro Delgado.
The Saxo Bank lineup with the Schleck brothers sandwiched around Fabian Cancellara at the right	Denis Menchov, the race favorite, during the Rabobank introduction	Thor Hushovd and Carlos Sastre bookending the Cervelo team introduction
Panoramic of the Sevilla TTT course along the Guadalquivir River. Sevilla is the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain.

Stage 1:  Sevilla TTT, 13km  Full Results and Report

Footon-Servetto-Fuji was the first of 22 teams off the start ramp and last in the final results in a time of 15:03 (+ 0:57)	HTC-Columbia led by Mark Cavendish was the 6th team to cross the line. Their time of 14:06 over the technical 13 km night course would not be beat.	Liquigas, the winners of the TTT at the Giro d'Italia, placed second tonight with a time of 14:16 (+ 0:10)
Garmin-Transitions, led here by Christian Vande Velde, were one of the favorites but placed a disappointing 6th (+ 0:17)	Extra lighting was brought in, but it was still dark of course. Xacobeo Galicia rounding a corner in front of a good crowd for 12th (+ 0:26)	Caisse d'Epargne was expected to do better than 11th, but they never got it going
Saxo Bank racing through the beautiful streets of Sevilla nearing midnight. They looked disorganized at the finish but still finished 3rd (+ 0:13)	Denis Menchov looks like he was rudely awoken for Rabobank's 11:20 PM start time	Rabobank lost two men off the back early on and placed a disappointing 16th (+ 0:33)
Did every team get this sort of introduction or just the local Andalucia-CajaSur squad who were last to start	Andalucia-CajaSur should have hitched a ride when they had a chance because they finished second last (+ 0:49 )	Mark Cavendish accepts the winning prize on behalf of HTC-Columbia
The winners, HTC-Columbia, on the podium at midnight		Mark Cavendish is the first wearer of the new red race leader's jersey which he'll be defending when stage 2 starts in 12 hours. (No time to party... go get some sleep)

Stage 2:  Alcalá de Guadaíra → Marbella, 173 km  Full Results and Report

Footon Servetto rider Manuel Cardoso doing as little as possible in the shade prior to the start of stage 2. He would later place 5th in the Marbella sprint finish.	Race leader Mark Cavendish signing autographs and posing for photos under the hot sun in Alcalá de Guadaíra. The heat apparently made him sick today.	HTC-Columbia was at the front of the chase most of the day
Passing by a typical Andalusian town and rolling landscape	The hotly contested sprint finish in Marbella	Race leader, Mark Cavendish, coming down the middle
The margin of victory...	... by the surprise winner	Multiple Tour Méditerranéen stage winner from Feburary, Yahueni Hutarovich (Française des Jeux), takes the first sprint finish at this year's Vuelta...
... Tyler Farrar and Alessandro Petacchi were among the other big names he beat. "Sure, it was a little bit of a surprise – it’s my first grand-tour stage victory"	Mark Cavendish looks a little stunned after the stage, but he gets to keep the red leader's jersey	Your stage 2 Belarusian winner, Yahueni Hutarovich (Française des Jeux). Hot or cold, he obviously likes racing near the Mediterranean.
The victor cools off one of the podium girls

Stage 3:   Marbella - Málaga, 157km  Full Results and Report

Carlos Sastre signing autographs pre-stage 3 on another beautiful day in the Andalucía region. He said, "If these temperatures keep up, this is going to be a knockout Vuelta."	Much to the delight of the Spanish crowd, Xacobeo Galicia's Serafin Martinez attacked from a small break on the cat 1 Puerto del León with 40 km to go	The peloton descending Puerto del León on the return loop to Málaga
Serafin Martinez (ESP) almost soloed home. It would have been a fine first pro win, but he was caught at the flamme rouge (1k to go marker)	The race came back together near the base of the 1.75 km uphill finish before Philippe Gilbert went to the front with 600m to go and then jumped here shortly after	Philippe Gilbert extending his lead over everyone...
... except for Katusha's Joaquim Rodríguez who says he was caught out by Gilbert's initial move	Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) next on the road	Ag2r - La Mondiale's Nicholas Roche would finish 6th (+ 0:15) ahead of Rabobank's Denis Menchov and Xacobeo Galicia's Ezequiel Mosquera
Omega Pharma-Lotto's Philippe Gilbert wins the first mountain stage at this year's Vuelta	First to the top of the 1.75 km (5.7%) hill climb finish	A classic finish with Gilbert crossing 1st, 3s ahead of Katusha's Joaquim Rodríguez
Rodríguez was the top finisher among those who also rode the Tour de France	Igor Anton was 3rd (+ 0:13)	A panoramic of trailing riders on the Gibralfaro uphill finish
Your (mountainous) stage 3 winner, Omega Pharma-Lotto's Philippe Gilbert celebrating his 28th career professional win		Philippe Gilbert is also your new race leader by 14s

Stage 4:  Málaga - Valdepeñas de Jaén, 184km  Full Results and Report

Thor Hushovd, who will ride for the Garmin-Cervelo team next year, apparently isn't afraid of the steep, narrow finish awaiting in Valdepeñas de Jaén	Today's stage went back inland over the coastal range, through the highland hills and on to the uphill finish in Valdepeñas de Jaén. A tough (medium) mountain day.	A dam nice view
The peloton passing through one of the many olive orchards on today's pictureque route	The beautiful towns in the Andalucía region must be subject to a white house paint only by-law	Inside 1 km to go: Caisse d'Epargne's Rigoberto Uran was first man up the 23% section. As cyclingnews said, the hill climb finish in Valdepeñas de Jaén was the Spanish equivalent to the Mur de Huy.
Team Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez leads HTC-Columbia's Peter Velits and Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali in pursuit of Igor Anton with less than 500m to go	In sync with their pedal strokes	Philippe Gilbert would retain the race lead with his 5th place finish (+ 0:05)
Ezequiel Mosquera (Spa) Xacobeo Galicia on his way to 7th (+ 0:12) followed by Nicolas Roche	Euskaltel-Euskadi's Igor Anton has 25m to go after jumping into the lead at the 400m marker	Igor Anton wins stage 4 by one second over Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo)
Anton celebrates the first win at this year's Vuelta by the the host nation	Another strong steep hill performance by Joaquin Rodriguez but he had to settle for 4th today (+ 0:01)	Caisse d'Epargne had lots of men at the front of the race in the final kms but could only manage 9th, 10th, 12th and 14th for all their hard work and suffering.
Philippe Gilbert still showing lots of intensity post-race	He clearly dug deep to retain the race lead
The race leader took a few body shots today; getting cleaned up for the podium ceremony	The podium girls share their true affection with a Spanish winner	Igor Anton adds another uphill finish to his list of career race wins
	The red leader's jersey looks good on Philippe Gilbert who will take a 10s lead going into Stage 5, a sprinter's stage.	Today, two-time Tour de France champion, Laurent Fignon, lost his battle with cancer. Here he is with Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain just one month ago at the Tour de France. "I'm doing fine" was his standard reply.
Laurent Fignon (1960-2010) remembered

Stage 5:  Guadix - Lorca, 199km  Full Results and Report

Astana's Josep Jufre and Liquigas' Maciej Paterski arrive at the stage 5 start in Guadix for another gorgeous day of racing in the Andalucía region of Spain	Riders gather around a poster of the late cyclist Laurent Fignon during a moment of silence prior to the start	Yesterday's stage winner, Igor Anton, is now leading the points competition
With a break up the road, Omega-Pharma Lotto does obligatory work at the front of the chasing peloton...	... for their race leader, Philippe Gilbert, who's getting an update on the time gap for his team director	This stage came back together for a mass sprint finish as expected
The field sprint in Lorca. Mark Cavendish looks over to see Garmin's Tyler Farrar surging into lead with 25m to go		Tyler Farrar wins ahead of Euskaltel-Euskadi Koldo Fernandez while Cavendish has given up and drifts back to third
Farrar's gratuitous bike throw	"Of course it's always nice to win against the best sprinter in the world but it's even better to win a stage at the Vuelta. I'm very happy"	David Millar and Tyler Farrar celebrate post-stage
Tyler Farrar also won a Vuelta sprint stage last year (photos)		Philippe Gilbert was happy to see the stage end in a field sprint; he keeps the red leader's jersey for at least another day

Stage 6:  Caravaca de Cruz - Murcia, 151 km  Full Results and Report

With a harmless break up the road, these riders had time for another kind of break	The points competition leader, Igor Anton, and his Euskaltel-Euskadi team support also had time to fix his race radio	The peloton on their way to the only climb of the day
The peloton on the cat 2 Alto de la Cresta del Gallo (5.1 km at 6.2%). The break was caught at the base.	Katusha's Alexandr Kolobnev setting the pace with the hopes of dropping race leader Philippe Gilbert, but no can do. In fact, a large group of 40 riders including Thor Hushovd tucked in 4th here went over the top together with 17 km to go.	Katusha's Filippo Pozzato and Vladimir Karpets leading the tricky descent, but Philippe Gilbert marked their move too
Xacobeo-Galicia's Ezequiel Mosquera was among the GC favorites biding their time today	Liquigas' Daniele Bennati was dropped on the climb, but he was among 30 riders that rejoined the front of the race on the flat run to the line. In fact, he almost won the stage.	A flat tire on the descent of Cresta del Gallo took yesterday's stage winner, Garmin's Tyler Farrar, out of the [sprint finish] picture
Sickness has plagued Team Sky at this year's Vuelta. Simon Gerrans won the finish to this stage last year (photos), but things were much different today. He finished 127th (+ 10' 31")	A panoramic of the tricky descent into Murcia	A fisheye lens gives a wider field of view but it certainly distorts the road
Cervélo's Thor Hushovd won the 70 man field sprint in Murcia ahead of Liquigas' Daniele Bennati (left) and Lampre's Grega Bole (obscured behind Hushovd). Race leader Philippe under Hushovd's right arm placed 6th	The 70 man field sprint this year in Murcia compared to four bunch sprint last year (photos)	After many of the pure sprinters were dropped on the cat 2 climb, Hushovd claims the field sprint. As mentioned, Bennati (left) was also dropped, but he bridged up on the flat run to the line to finish 2nd.
The Norwegian national champ keeps the string of different country winners alive at this year's Vuelta	Your stage 6 winner, Thor Hushovd

Stage 7:  Murcia - Orihuela, 187 km  Full Results and Report

The somber mode outside the Team Sky bus this morning. A virus has wreaked havoc on the team's riders this week, but the team denied that the death of their Spanish massage therapist, Txema González, in a Sevilla hospital today was related. A "bacterial infection" was the cause of death.	A flat stage that avoided the mountains in the area except one cat 3. Here's the four man break.	The peloton sticking together to avoid getting lost on today's meandering route through the Murica province ...
... and in no hurry. That's Lampre's Alessandro Petacchi (right) taking in energy that he would use later.	Lampre's Danilo Hondo leading the chase around Embalse de la Pedrera	The main break formed just 2 km from the start and stayed away into the late afternoon.
But, this stage was destined for a sprint finish. After a great leadout, Lampre's Alessandro Petacchi legitimately drifted across the narrow home stretch to box in Mark Cavendish.	When a hole opened up there wasn't enough time for Mark Cavendish to come through it	The faces of a good mass sprint finish less yesterday's winner Thor Hushovd (right background)
Petacchi takes the win by more than a bike length	Looking back, this was a narrow, twisty Giro-type sprint finish that suited Petacchi well. Cavendish crossed second while Saxo Bank's Juan-Jose Haedo nipped across for third.	Petacchi celebrates his 20th career Vuelta win
The sweet smell of victory	Petacchi's arms got some more exercise on the podium	Until this year's Vuelta, Philippe Gilbert, had never worn the leader's jersey at any of the three Grand Tours. Today he claimed his fifth red leader's jersey.
PhilGil enjoying his time in red while it lasts because tomorrow's stage 8 is a tough mountain stage (preview) expected to produce a new leader	We start and end today's collection of photos on a somber note. Here, the coffin of French cycling champion Laurent Fignon is carried into the crematorium during his funeral ceremony at the Pere Lachaise cemetery in Paris.

Stage 8:  Villena → Xorret del Catí, 189 km  Full Results and Report

Following the earlier news of Team Sky's withdrawal from the Vuelta after yesterday's death of their soigneur, Txema González, there was a moment of silence tribute prior to the start led by race leader Philippe Gibert surrounded by the Team Sky riders in their black civvies.	Today was the second of eight mountain stages at this year's Vuelta	Five categorized climbs on today's programme (1 cat 3, 3 cat 2, 1 cat 1)
Race leader Philippe Gilbert on a descent. It wasn't such a gorgeous day for Gilbert and other riders who were involved a major crash. Gilbert wasn't expected to keep his race lead today anyway.	Assan Bazayev (Astana) momentarily gapping his break companions Serafin Martinez (Xacobeo Galicia), David Moncoutie (Cofidis), Johan Tschopp (Bbox-Bouygues Telecom), and Jose Luis Arrieta (Ag2r-La Mondiale)	There is a monument to José María Jiménez Sastre at the base of the steep Alto Xorret del Catí climb before today's finish. Jiménez, an escape artist who was good on the steep stuff, was a former winner of Xorret del Catí at the Vuelta. He died at age 32 in 2003 from a heart attack the year after he retired from cycling. He was also a brother-in-law to Carlos Sastre, who finished 10th today.
Fans climbing the steep Alto Xorret del Catí earlier in the day	Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Cofidis' David Moncoutie was the strongest break rider on the last climb.	Cofidis' David Moncoutie dropped his four breakaway companions when Alto Xorret del Catí really kicked up …
	Fans love riders who give 22%	Mountains classification leader, Serafin Martinez (Xacobeo Galicia) would finish second today.
Here come the top three GC contenders	and then there were other (previous) GC favorites Saxo's Frank Schleck who placed 23rd on the day (+ 2'36") and Xacobeo Galicia's Ezequiel Mosquera, who later passed Schleck for 17th (+ 2'02")	A gritty performance by Caisse d’Epargne's David Arroyo who finished 25th in the same time as Frank Schleck (+ 2:36) despite suffering a bruised clavicle and road rash in major crash earlier in the stage that also took down the race leader, Philippe Gilbert
David Moncoutie soloed the 3k twisty descent and flat finish to win by 54s over Serafin Martinez (Xacobeo Galicia). The 35 year-old Frenchman will now set his sights on winning the mountains classification which he was won the last two years at the Vuelta.	Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez outsprinted Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo) and Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi) for fifth place…	… but for some reason wasn't rewarded with a time gap so the new race leader, Igor Anton, (third here in the orange jersey) finished in the same time
The young rider leader and downhill bomber, Liguigas' Vincenzo Nibali, couldn't drop Rodriguez and Anton on the twisty descent to the line	Enigmatic David Moncoutie celebrates another major solo mountain stage win in his career. A great climber throughout his career, but rarely a serious GC challenger in 2HC (major) stage races. "I lost time deliberately on a flat stage into Murcia so the overall contenders wouldn't worry about me getting in a break", he admitted post-stage.	Me Igor, the new race leader. Actually, Igor Anton is fortunate to be tied on time with Joaquin Rodriguez.
Laurent Jalabert was on hand to present the red jersey to the new race leader, Igor Anton (Euskaltel - Euskadi)

Stage 9:  Calpe → Alcoy, 187km  Full Results and Report

Wow, another gorgeous day at the Vuelta. Spanish fans gathered around their own boy and the new race leader, Igor Anton, at the start in Calpe.	Paulo Bettini, in his new role of Italian national cycling director, was on hand to evaluate the Italian riders as he prepares to make his final selections for the upcoming Road Cyclng World Championships.	The peloton rolling out of Calpe with Euskaltel - Euskadi in their new role at the front of the race
The peloton whizzing north along the Costa Blanca	... before heading inland at km 34	Most of this stage was an up and down romp through the Alicante province featuring seven categorized climbs but nothing too difficult
The main break of 15 led here by Perrig Quemeneur (Bbox) and David Lopez (Caisse d'Epargne) was whittled down over the course of seven categorized climbs. Also in the break were Egoi Martinez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Oscar Pujol (Cervelo TestTeam), Blel Kadri (AG2R-La Mondiale), Javier Ramirez (Andalucia-CajaSur), Enrico Gasparotto (Astana), David Moncoutié (Cofidis), Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas-Doimo), Jean-Christophe Peraud (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Jelle Vanendert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), Carlos Barredo (Quick Step), Dario Cataldo (Quick Step), Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha) and Gonzalo Rabunal (Xacobeo Galicia)	The Red Jersey, Igor Anton, started to sweat a bit when one of the riders in the break, Omega Pharma-Lotto's Jean-Christophe Peraud, became the virtual race leader on the road	With the break whittled down to about five riders by the last climb, the category 3 Alto del Revolcat (5.9 km at 4.4%), the attacks started. Here's yesterday's stage winner, David Moncoutie bridging up to Caisse d'Epargne's David Lopez.
Looking for his second mountain stage win in as many days; Moncoutie went on the attack and was joined by Liquigas' Roman Kreuziger...	... they were joined by Katusha's Giampaolo Caruso as the three neared the top with about 7 km still to go. (David Lopez is trailing here in the upper-right corner)	David Lopez trailing by a few seconds
Caisse d'Epargne's David Lopez attacked on the descent of Alto del Revolcat with about 5 km to go...	... and, as you can see, he successfully held his lead on the 1.4 km at 7.1% uphill finish into Alcoy	It's always neat to get a different angle from the same interesting moment in time. (This shot also shows his margin of victory over the 2nd-4th riders)
The 3rd year pro wins his first Grand Tour stage: "The emotion this win generates is indescribable, I never imagined it could be so intense." (cyclingnews)	Roman Kreuziger passed Giampaolo Caruso for second (+ 0' 16")	The peloton on Alto del Revolcat, with the race leader behind a teammate, gave the break a lot of slack, but it turned out to be a safe margin
A peloton panoramic near the summit of Alto del Revolcat	Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez, for the second day in a row, won the sprint among the GC contenders (15th + 7' 02"), but he once again wasn't able to shake Igor Anton. “I’m disappointed, I really wanted to lead the Vuelta as the race will be in my home region of Catalonia on Tuesday”, Rodriguez lamented post stage.	Your stage 9 winner, Caisse d'Epargne's David Lopez. The second win for Spain who are the only country to win two stages at this year's Vuelta (so far).
Race leader, Igor Anton, can't believe he's taking the Red Jersey into the first rest day

Stage 10:  Tarragona → Vilanova i la Geltrú, 176 km  Full Results and Report

Team Katusha not Euskaltel-Euskadi was setting the pace early on. They kept the race together until the first intermediate sprint at km 41 km when Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez captured a 2s bonus for finishing third, making him the leader on the road	The 11 man break leaving Stiges at km 125	The break led by the eventual race winner
Katusha leading the chase to make sure the break doesn't get a gap that would thwart Joaquin Rodriguez becoming the new race leader	Looking into the afternoon sun. The eleven man break at km 130 on the coast north of Stiges	The peloton
The break on the category 1 Alto del Rat Penat (4,4 km at 10,8%) at km 140	Igor Anton, Vladmir Karpets and Team Xacobeo - Galicia at the front of the peloton when the climbed kicked up to 18%	Cervelo's Thor Hushovd, the stage 6 winner, out of contention near the back of the last group
Caisse d'Epargne's Imanol Erviti rode away from the break on the descent of Alto del Rat Penat...	... and won by 37s	Cofidis' Romain Zingle won a painful bunch sprint for second
Saxo Bank's Frank Schleck finished (+ 1'38") with the GC contenders. He probably wasn't happy about his brother, Andy, and Stuart O'Grady being sent home before the start of the stage.	Caisse d'Epargne's Imanol Erviti celebrates his second pro win and second career Vuelta stage win
Getting ready to present the Red Jersey to the new race leader	Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez standing tall on the podium	Happy to don the leader's jersey in front of his home region of Catalunya
Hip Hip Hooray	David Moncoutie moved into the lead of the mountains classification today. Normally, the KOM jersey with red potka dots goes great with the red Cofidis team kit, but the blue dotka version for this 75th anniversary of the Vuelta will unfortunately clash.	Team Katusha were all smiles at the end of the day. Andrei Tchmil, team manager of Katusha, and the new race leader, Joaquin Rodriguez

Stage 11:  Vilanova i la Geltrú → Vallnord (AD), 208 km  Full Results and Report

Looking down on La Massana where the riders passed through on their way up to the Pal sector of the Vallnord ski resort in Andorra	After Xacobeo Galicia's Ezequiel Mosquera jumped into the lead with 4.5 km to go, Euskaltel-Euskadi's Igor Anton slowly bridged up and then passed him here just before the 1 km to go marker	Igor Anton under the 1km to go marker extending his lead
Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali sliding back after being near the front most of the climb. Two Caisse d'Epargne riders in the background would catch him by the finish.	Caisse d’Epargne's Marzio Bruseghin leading two of his teammates as well as KOM leader David Moncoutie, Frank Schleck and Carlos Sastre. Sastre's teammate, the 41-year old, Inigo Cuesta (see helmet over Sastre's left shoulder) would catch Sastre.	300m to go: Anton rounding a sharp bend near the finish
300m to go: Mosquera up out the saddle trying to close the gap	300m to go: Xavier Tondo of Cervélo Test Team	300m to go: Nibali getting passed by Caisse d'Epargne's Marzio Bruseghin and Rigoberto Uran
300m to go: Saxo Bank's Frank Schleck	Igor Anton had time to celebrate his second stage win at this year's Vuelta - the first repeat winner	The margin of victory
Afer blowing the lead, Ezequiel Mosquera crossed 3s later	Followed by 3rd place Xavier Tondo of Cervélo Test Team (+ 0' 10"). Tondo is now 3rd on GC too.	A former podium finisher in his home country's Giro d'Italia in 2008, Caisse d’Epargne's Marzio Bruseghin is back in GC contention at a Grand Tour with a very solid 4th place today (+ 0' 15"). Teammate Rigoberto Uran followed him across for 5th
Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali hung on for 6th (+ 0' 23") just ahead of Frank Schleck and David Moncoutie good enough to move Nibali up to 2nd overall	Garmin's Tom Danielson was the top American in 12th (+ 0' 41") but he's lost more time now on his rivals and sits 12th overall (+ 2' 53")	The (now former) race leader Joaquin Rodriguez went with Ezequiel Mosquera's attack with 4.5 km to go but blew a gasket and limped across for 19th one minute back
A panoramic of the finishing climb as the last riders crawl home	Xacobeo Galicia's Ezequiel Mosquera made his move today, but just came short of a stage win. He'll have to look ahead to this weekend's mountain stages now.	Give it up for the first repeat winner at this year's Vuelta, Igor Anton
Disbelief is being replaced by confidence in the eyes of Igor Anton		Igor Anton now moves back into the Red Jersey at the halfway point of this year's Vuelta with a 45s lead over Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali. Not bad for a guy who has never won a significant stage race before.

Stage 12:  Andorra la Vella (AD) → Lleida, 173km  Full Results and Report

Some of the nice scenery from Thursday's Stage 12 as the peloton returns to Spain from Andorra on another beautiful day	With a rider in the break just five minutes back on GC, Euskaltel - Euskadi helped the sprinter teams such Garmin and QuickStep to catch the break
Ok, enough of the chase group lets move up the road to the break...	The break enjoying the scenic view along Embalse de Camarasa while the chase gains ground	Bridge over troubled waters for the break at km 130. They would be caught shortly.
After HTC-Columbia's Matt Goss and Mark Cavendish gapped the field in the final corner, the outcome was never in doubt	Mark Cavendish says he would have given Matt Goss the win, but Goss was already doing dangerous bike tricks with 25m to go	A double victory salute
Take two on the double victory salute	While Mark Cavendish celebrates his first career Vuelta win, it was good to see Garmin's Tyler Farrar pip Goss for second	Cav always provides victory hugs to his teammates
It took longer than most expected but Cav gets his (first) stage win at this year's Vuelta, which of course gives him wins at all three Grand Tours	No problems today for the race leader, Igor Anton

Stage 13:  Rincón de Soto → Burgos, 196km  Full Results and Report

A rolling stage through some more nice landscape featuring two category 3 climbs on the way to Burgos	30km to go. Descending the last cat 3 with the peloton gaining on the break. Garmin's Dave Zabriskie (left) finishing a pull at the front as race leader, Igor Anton, comes around him.	For the second day in a row, a tricky final corner that was once again mastered by HTC-Columbia and their man Mark Cavendish (in green today), this time in downtown Burgos
The margin of victory was even bigger than yesterdays	Cavendish bunny hopped across the line instead of flashing a victory salute	After a slow start to this year's Vuelta, it's two wins in a row for Mark Cavendish
Cav knows how to entertain the ladies...	... and the photographers	Race leader, Igor Anton, now eagerly awaits Saturday's Stage 14 mountaintop finish near his Basque Country

Stage 14:   Burgos → Peña Cabarga, 179km  Full Results and Report

If you tuned in early for the Spanish TV coverage then you saw some amazing scenery as the peloton traversed two category 2 climbs while entering the Cantabria region of northern Spain	This area is reminiscent of the nearby Pyrénées. Graham Watson took the best shot of the day (click the thumbnail left and follow the road around the photo)	How quickly the race can change. Igor Anton looked great here and on every mountain stage so far, but in the blink of an eye his race was over. Shortly after this photo was taken he hit something on the road and lost his bars at 70-80 kph before the final climb. He was covered in road rash and abandoned with a broken elbow. His classy post race reaction and this is heartbreaking.
The first rider up the steep section of the Peña Cabarga finishing climb (5,9 km at 9,24% max 18%)	Not surprisingly, Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez had counter-attacked on the steepest section (18%) inside 2 km to go	Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo) in second followed by Ezequiel Mosquera ( Xacobeo Galicia) a few seconds back
Xavier Tondo (Cervélo Test Team) leading the next group. He finished 7th (+ 0' 39"). David Moncoutie (Cofidis), next here, finished 4th (+ 0' 33")	Saxo Bank's Frank Scheck finished 6th (+ 0' 35") passed by Ag2R's Nicolas Roche (+ 0' 34") before the line	He's not going to win the race at this pace, but Garmin's Tom Danielson was solid again today finishing 10th (+ 1' 29") and moves up to 8th overall due to a crash involving previous top 10 riders Anton, Uran and Bruseghin
Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez wins by 20s over...	... the new race leader, Vincenzo Nibali followed by Ezequiel Mosquera in 3rd	Nibali put in an attack before the steep section and was gutted crossing the line
A panoramic of trailing riders reaching the top	King Rodriguez on the podium	Vincenzo Nibali was as surprised as everyone at the turn of events that saw him don the Red Jersey at the end of the day

Stage 15:   Solares → Lagos de Covadonga, 170km  Full Results and Report

With the main break well up the road on the final climb, Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) is about to roll off the front of the GC contenders. By the way, today was the first day of rain at this year's Vuelta.	Quick Step's Carlos Barredo attacked the six-man breakway at the base of the finishing climb, the 13 km Lagos de Covadonga	Barredo, was born in Oviedo (Asturias capital city) and knows this climb well, but it doesn't hurt any less
Ezequiel Mosquera maintained a 10s lead after rolling away from the GC contenders about halfway up the climb. Mosquera was born nearby as well, Cacheiras-Teo, Galicia, the region next to Asturias to the west	Race leader, Vincenzo Nibali, chasing Mosquera with Peter Velits (Team HTC-Columbia) and Joaquin Rodriguez (Team Katusha) in tow	Tom Danielson (Garmin-Transitions) hung with the Nibali group for while but was eventually dropped. He finished 11th on the day
Local boy Carlos Barredo wins solo on Lagos de Covadonga by 1 minute and 7 seconds over fellow break survivors...	Nicol Sijmens (Bel) Cofidis, le crédit en ligne was second	Martin Velits (Team HTC-Columbia) was 3rd (+ 1' 43")
Ezequiel Mosquera was the first GC contender to cross for 7th (+ 2' 15")	Vincenzo Nibali successfully defended his first day in Red crossing 8th (+ 2' 26"), 11s back of Mosquera	Barredo celebrates his first Grand Tour stage win
Lets get this party started	Vincenzo Nibali gets a new clean leader's jersey for tomorrows Queen Stage

Stage 16:   Gijón → Cotobello, 179 km  Full Results and Report

Rabobank's Laurens Ten Dam crashed early on and, surprisingly, was the only withdrawal from the Queen Stage	For everyone else, the Queen Stage was a beautiful ride through la cordillera cantábrica (The Cantabrian Mountains) featuring a cat 3, two cat 2s and a categoría especial summit finish	Euskaltel-Euskadi at the front of the main break after three of the Orange Basque men bridged up to the lead group
Euskaltel-Euskadi's Mikel Nieve attacked off the front of the break at the base of Alto de Cotobello, the categoría especial finishing climb (10,1 km at 8,15%)	He never looked in difficulty when the tv cameras were focused on him	As the sign says, 400m to go for the 26 year old rider from Leitza, a town in the Navarre region of northern Spain. He can almost see his first pro win.
400m to go: Break survivor, Quick Step's Kevin De Weert with Saxo Bank's Frank Schleck getting larger in his rear view mirror	Just 300m later and with 100m to go, Frank Schleck is literally on Kevin De Weert's wheel ready to pass him for the 2nd place 12 bonus seconds he dearly needs.	Euskaltel-Euskadi's Mikel Nieve (Spain) wins the Queen Stage for his first pro win
Just two days after the bitter disappointment of seeing their race leader, Igor Anton, crash out of the Vuelta, Euskaltel-Euskadi and Basque fans have something to celebrate	Saxo Bank's Frank Schleck crossing 2nd (+ 1' 06") followed by Quick Step's Kevin De Weert (+ 1' 08"). Schleck moved up to 4th overall today, but is still 2' 16" off the lead.	100m to go: Joaquin Rodriguez jumped from the GC contenders as well, 5 km after Schleck did, dropped Vincenzo Nibali and took his Red Jersey back. Rodriguez finished 4th (+ 1' 22").
Luis-Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne was also in the main break. He finished 5th (+ 1' 32")	Ag2R-La Mondiale's Nicolas Roche (Ireland) was 8th (+ 1' 44") good for 5th overall (+ 3' 01")	Vincenzo Nibali was dropped with several km to go and finished 10th today (+ 1' 59") and losses the race lead (+ 0' 33").
Vincenzo Nibali explaining what happened on RAI TV ()	A swarthy, scuffed up Marzio Bruseghin placed 20th today. Prior to the Igor Anton crash two days ago, which he was involved in, he was sitting smartly in 4th place overall.	Your stage 16 winner, Euskaltel-Euskadi's Mikel Nieve (Spain), rejoicing on the podium. His 1st pro win.
Doesn't that Asturian hat remind you of Ed Grimley () ? That's quite a nice hat, I must say.	Spanish pop singer, David Bisbal, was on hand to put Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez back in the Red Jersey

Stage 17:  Peñafiel 46 km ITT  Full Results and Report

The World Champ, Fabian Cancellara, set an early best time and placed 3rd on the day (+ 0' 37")	Garmin's Dave Zabriskie getting aero. This flat, long, non-technical course suited him well, but not the apparent change in wind conditions. He placed 7th (+ 1' 10"), top ride by an American. He'll still be in Spain this weekend and won't be able to defend his U.S. Time Trial title.	Dave Z close-up
Best scenic panoramic goes to Martin Velits of HTC-Columbia. The Slovakian time-trial champ placed 21st (+ 2' 22") ...	... his twin-brother, Peter, had the ride of the day	HTC-Columbia's Peter Velits won the 46 ITT in a time of 52' 43" moving him up from 6th to 3rd overall. Changing wind conditions seemed to have helped.
Not known as a good TTer, Xacobeo Galicia's Ezequiel Mosquera placed a solid 19th (+ 2' 13")	Ezequiel Mosquera moved up one spot to 2nd overall, 33s behind the new race leader. This Vuelta isn't over. He's been close to a stage win at this Vuelta and winning the last mountain stage this Saturday could give him the overall win.	Liquigas' Vincenzo Nibali came through with a TT effort most were expecting
After overcoming a flat tire early on, Vincenzo Nibali went on to finish 15th (+ 1' 54") moving him back into the race lead because...	... previous race leader, Joaquin Rodriguez, was bleeding Red on the road. He finished over 6 minutes off the winning time dropping him to 5th overall. Being the last rider on the road, it was painful to watch... it indeed looked like he was riding uphill.	The chalkie look of a defeated time-trialist: Joaquin Rodriguez looked like he hadn't drank water for several days when he crossed the line.
Your stage 17 ITT winner, HTC-Columbia's Peter Velits: "On the way out, I didn't give 100% but on the way back, I put the hammer down. I saw [Tom] Danielson in front of me. He was coming closer and closer. It was such a big motivation." (cyclingnews)	Velits didn't want to talk about how he has moved up to 3rd overall on GC, two minutes off the lead. He just wanted to savor the moment.	Give me that Red Jersey
Vincenzo Nibali is back in the Red Jersey but he can't feel too comfortable with a 33s lead on Ezequiel Mosquera and a big mountain stage with a summit finish remaining

Stage 18:  Valladolid → Salamanca, 149 km  Full Results and Report

The rollout from Valladolid which hosted the first ever Vuelta a Espana stage finish back in 1935	Liquigas at the front enjoying a nice roll across the central plateau with ominous clouds most of the day	A slow gallop would adequately describe today's pace
This flat, slow stage was destined to end in a sprint finish. That's HTC-Columbia's Matt Goss (on the far right) peeling off after giving Mark Cavendish another great leadout.	Saxo's Bank J.J. Haedo (right) giving Cavendish something to work for with 25m to go. Nice third place finish by Footon-Servetto's Manuel Cordoso who will be riding for RadioShack next year.	But, in the end, another easy sprint finish win for Mark Cavendish by almost two bike lengths
Another good crowd at the finish today, this time in Salamanca. The 75th anniversary of the Vuelta is turning out to be a rejuvenation.	Cav celebrates his third Vuelta stage win
Your stage 18 winner, Mark Cavendish		Race leader, Liguigas' Vincenzo Nibali, making one final adjustment before...
... he celebrates his fourth Red Jersey

Stage 19:  Piedrahita → Toledo, 231 km  Full Results and Report

Liquigas on the front during the roll out from Piedrahita before the cat 2 climb that separates the central plateau and the plains	Km 30: The peloton cresting the cat 2 climb (el. 1500m) in the clouds with a break now off the front	Crossing Embalse de Burguillo at 75 km as the peloton descends to the flats
A dam nice perspective of the ridge between the plateau and the plains	The weather was better down on the plains today for the tv coverage of the finish	Caisse d'Epargne against puffy white clouds
This was a fast stage and the break had no chance of surviving with Omega-Pharma Lotto, Footen-Servetto and HTC-Columbia chasing on the front. As expected, Omega-Pharma Lotto's Philippe Gilbert was leading the way to the line around the final corner in Toledo.	The strung out finish	Philippe Gilbert 1st ahead of Garmin's Tyler Farrar. Peter Velits (under Gilbert's left arm) was the top GC finisher 5th (+ '1)
Gilbert celebrates his second Vuelta win this year Paolo Bettini style...	Today's finish in Toledo was the same as Stage 6 two years ago when the world champ Paolo Bettini just beat Phillipe Gilbert (right) who was riding for FDJ at the time	Race leader Vincenzo Nibali crossed in the same time as Peter Velits, but Ezequiel Mosquera lost 12s today
The finish was too steep for Mark Cavendish. He placed 18th (+ 9'').	People initially wondered why Frank Scheck's name didn't appear when the top 100 results were posted. He flatted near the finish within 3 km to go and was later given time of + 15s.	Nothing like winning
Your stage 19 winner, Philippe Gilbert	Just what the already lethal Philippe Gilbert needs... another weapon.	Speaking of the road cycling world championships, people are pegging Gilbert for the Rainbow Jersey in several weeks
Race leader Vincenzo Nibali crossed 12s ahead Ezequiel Mosquera and now has some more breathing room. The wild final mountain stage tomorrow will decide the GC (preview)

Stage 20:  San Martín de Valdeiglesias → Bola del Mundo, 172 km  Full Results and Report

Liquigas again at the front early on. Daniele Bennati is right: "This isn't a ceremonial stage. That's tomorrow in Madrid." (rough Italian translation)	Literally, jumping ahead to the finish. Xacobeo Galicia's Ezequiel Mosquera attacked at the base of Bola del Mundo with 3 km to go just as the pundits predicted	Race leader Vincenzo Nibali looking like he's about to lose the stage and the race as Mosquera stretched out the lead to 19s
Katusha's Joaquin Rodriguez was 3rd today (+ 23") for 4th overall	Saxo Bank's Frank Schleck was 4th (+ 35") for 5th overall	Stage 16 winner Mikel Nieve (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi was 7th (+ 50") and Stage 18 winner Peter Velits (Svk) Team HTC-Columbia was 8th (+ 52")
The fans going absolutely nuts for Zeke with 1 km to go	A gritty effort by the 35 year-old Galician attempting to win his first Vuelta stage and the overall title on the same day	Race leader and Italian, Vincenzo Nibali got a polite/genteel response?
Nibali focusing on the task at hand	Nibali digging deep with his first Grand Tour title on the line	Peter Velits lost time today, but held onto to his 3rd spot overall and will become the first Slovakian to podium at a Grand Tour
Nibali reeled in Mosquera near the finish on the steepest part of the climb	But, Mosquera held onto for his first Vuelta stage win	Nothing left to give
Nibali forgetting how to ride a bike as he crossed 1s back	Zeke del Bondo, your stage 20 winner	Everyone loves a winner
Seems like he's been a contender every year at the Vuelta. He didn't win the overall race today, but he did win an epic finish for his first Vuelta stage win at the age of 35 much to the delight of those young and old.	Vincenzo Nibali, 10 years younger than Mosquera, continued his rise this month and will win his first Grand Tour. He also become the first Italian to win the Vuelta in 20 years.

Stage 21:   San Sebastián de los Reyes → Madrid, 100 km  Full Results and Report

Having some fun during the stage 21 rollout from San Sebastián de los Reyes. Katusha's Joaquim Rodriguez should have tried swapping with one of race motorcycles for the Stage 17 time trial instead.	As the three flags indicate, the GC podium is already decided. The peloton on the finishing circuits in Madrid. Another gorgeous day in Spain to cap a race that was blessed with great weather for all but one or two days.	Liquigas at the front one final time...
... did you know Liquigas finished with all nine riders in all three Grand Tours this year? And now they've won two of them. Vincenzo Nibali, here in Red, following his eight 'mates.	Everything seemed in line for another Mark Cavendish sprint finish win until Garmin's Tyler Farrar came around Astana's Allan Davis on the other side	Tyler Farrar easily wins the final stage. Mark Cavendish said post-stage that he broke a spoke near the finish. "When Cavendish has lost out, it’s because something’s malfunctioned in his game plan", said British cycling writer Ned Boulting
Amazing that a cyclist could look that beefy after three weeks of competitive racing in the heat of Spain	Tyler Farrar suddenly looks small next to the prize for winning the final stage, his second win at this year's Vuelta. He's now the United States' big hope for the upcoming World Championships.	Mark Cavendish didn't win today, but he made one last visit to the podium at this year's Vuelta to claim the prize(s) for winning the points competition. He won by seven points over Tyler Farrar, 156 to 149.
Race winner Vincenzo Nibali swapping his green jersey for Red when it counts most	Pure joy in making the 75th Vuelta anniversary your first Grand Tour win	Your 2010 GC podium: 2nd Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia), 1st Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Doimo) and 3rd Peter Velits (Team HTC-Columbia). Some more firsts of note: Mosquera's first podium finish after several years of high finishes at the Vuelta, Italy's first Vuelta win in 20 yrs and Slovakia's first Grand Tour podium...
... so there was lots to celebrate	They didn't win the general classification, but Katusha was still happy to win the team competiton... by just 33s over Caisse d'Epargne.