Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) has won the sixth stage of the Vuelta A Espana, a 30km individual time trial in Valencia. He finished in a time of 36’41 leaving David Millar (Garmin) and Bert Grabsch (Columbia) 32 and 36 seconds behind him, respectively. Spartacus reclaims the gold jersey after already winning the prologue.
Today’s race against the clock was marked by heavy rains and strong winds along a pancake flat course, that saw the heavier and more powerful riders do well. In the race for the overall, contenders Samuel Sanchez (Euskatel), Tom Danielson (Garmin), and Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto), lost 47”, 50”, and 1’02”, respectively. The biggest loser of the day was the Italian Ivan Basso (Liquigas) who was 56” slower than Sanchez, a deficit he will have to take back in the mountains if he still has designs on the overall win.
Tomorrow will see the peloton travel from Alzira to Alto de Aitana over 206 kilometers. The stage features seven classified climbs of the second and third category. The mountain top finish will decide who is still in the running to win this year’s Vuelta.