Vuelta a Espana 2011 Photos; Stage 17: Faustino V → Peña Cabarga, 211 km
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Rollout from the Faustino V(ineyard) for the longest and according to the riders, the hardest of this year's Vuelta		share this photo
This was a fast stage as Katusha wanted to keep the race together for their man Joaquin Rodriguez who won the climb to finish at Peña Cabarga last year		share this photo
Last year's winner of Peña Cabarga, Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha), and race leader Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) navigating today's twisty route		share this photo
Whoa! Follow the amazing descent off the category 2 Portillo de Lunada. The Cantabria (and Asturias) regions of northern Spain look a lot like the Pyrenées.		share this photo
After Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervelo) was caught on the 6 km 10 % Peña Cabarga, race leader Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) and Chris Froome (Sky) went to the front to start an epic GC slugfest over the final 3 km		share this photo
Chris Froome (Sky) attacking with 1 km to go		share this photo
Apparently, the Spanish fans on the road said they would kill Chris Froome if he won. It was all in good fun, of course.		share this photo
Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) coming through next with his race lead in serious jeorpardy		share this photo
We knew who the Spanish fans were cheering for today especially this being the home region of the race leader		share this photo
Close up of the last shot		share this photo
The Vuelta has the most chaotic finishing climbs when fans spill onto the road		share this photo
The fans going crazy for their local boy who lives in the area; Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) got a huge lift of support and later bridged up to Froome with 200m to go.		share this photo
Cobo chasing down Froome. He couldn't dare let this one slip away.		share this photo
Second last year on Peña Cabarga, Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) finished 15th today + 0:51		share this photo
The fast early pace and his downward spiraling form spelled trouble for last year's Peña Cabarga winner, Joaquím Rodríguez (Katusha). He could only manage 23rd + 2:14. The Giro d'Italia has caught up with him?		share this photo
After being caught with 200m to go, Christopher Froome (Sky) surged one final time for the stage win over race leader, Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) + 0:01		share this photo
A truly classic, memorable finish between the top 1-2 GC contenders on the final summit finish of this year's Vuelta		share this photo
No comment necessary		share this photo
Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) was on the ropes but saved a 13s race lead margin		share this photo
3rd Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) + 0:21 and 4th Daniel Martin (Garmin-Cervelo) + 0:24		share this photo
Euskaltel-Euskadi teammates (Igor Anton and Mikel Nieve) crossing 5th and 6th + 0:27		share this photo
Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) expressing his opinion of stage 17		share this photo
Bradley Wiggins (Sky) finished outside the top 10, 12th + 0:39, but hangs on to 3rd overall		share this photo
Chris Froome (Sky) picked a fine time for his first pro win in Europe, a memorable summit finish at a Grand Tour. You can't help, but wonder what would have happened if his team had worked for him after he gained the Red Jersey way back on Stage 10.		share this photo
Race leader Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) maintains a reduced 13s lead with the difficult stages now over. But, a slim lead heading into the twisty, hilly Basque Country is not safe.		share this photo
Mom is proud of her Juanjo		share this photo
Vuelta a Espana 2011 Photos; Stage 17: Faustino V → Peña Cabarga, 211 km
« Stage 16 photos	return to: Vuelta a Espana 2011 Dashboard: Results, Photos, Video  |  Vuelta a Espana 2011 photo gallery	Stage 18 photos »