Vuelta a Espana (2012) Photos; Stage 17: Santander → Fuente Dé, 187 km
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The rollout from Santander, a regular Vuelta host, along the Cantabria Sea		share this photo
Ironically, after many mountain stages with steep climbs, it was the modest climbs at the end of Stage 17 that proved pivotal		share this photo
A photo that foreshadows the explosion that is about to occur. It took 80 km for a break to finally escape.		share this photo
With a break containing three teammates up the road, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) blew apart the race on the penultimate climb, the cat 2 Collado La Hoz (5.7 km @ 7.6 %)		share this photo
When Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) failed to respond to Alberto Contador's move, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), who also had teammates up the road, attacked		share this photo
With the help of his teammates on the descent, Collado La Hoz and the base of the final climb, the cat 2 Fuente Dé (17.3 km @ 3.9 %) extended his lead over the GC contenders before soloing the later half of the climb		share this photo
Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) wasn't the energizer bunny today		share this photo
1 km to go and his lead coming down, Alberto Contador dug extra deep		share this photo
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With the help of teammates, Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) pulled back time on the final climb to finish second + 6s and moves up to second overall + 1:52		share this photo
A fine example of how the riders ultimately make the race		share this photo
Alberto Contador would not be denied today		share this photo
A solo win for Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) on a medium mountain stage finish at Fuente Dé		share this photo
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The emphatic victory salute continues		share this photo
In one fell swoop, Alberto Contador moves into the race lead with a commanding lead		share this photo
Needless to say, Alberto Contador will count this win as one of the biggest of his career		share this photo
Notably 9th was Paolo Tiralongo (Astana), a good friend and former teammate, who helped Contador at the base of the final climb. Contador helped Tiralongo (inset) achieve his only pro at last year's Giro d'Italia.		share this photo
With Contador and Valvarde teammates following his every move, Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) was left to defend the race lead on his own. He salvaged 10th + 2:38		share this photo
After an almost perfect race leading into today's stage, it turns out, Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) achilles heel was a high paced medium mountain stage where enemy team tactics were a huge factor		share this photo
Alberto Contador finally makes the stage winner's podium at this year's Vuelta		share this photo
No comment necessary		share this photo
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Close up: Contador stared down defeat today and won		share this photo
Alberto is convinced he's won the Vuelta now		share this photo
Your emotional new race leader, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank)		share this photo
Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank) issued the first pistol salute after his return to cycling with his competition effectively dead (2nd Valvarde + 1:52, 3rd Rodriguez + 2:28) with four stages remaining		share this photo
Vuelta a Espana (2012) Photos; Stage 17: Santander → Fuente Dé, 187 km
« Stage 16 photos	return to: « Vuelta a Espana 2012 Live Dashboard  |  Vuelta a Espana (2012) photo gallery	Stage 18 photos »