Euskaltel Euskadi rider nets general classification with timely move
Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) took his second win in this year’s Vuelta a Burgos when he outrode breakaway companion Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia). Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) was dropped in the final kilometer, finishing third. Sánchez also snapped the overall title with his timely attack.
Sánchez set the decisive move 100 meters from the line, to which Mosquera could not respond. Sánchez won by a single second and also took the overall by one second over Mosquera.
Mosquera’s manager, Álvaro Pino, was still happy. “Competing for the overall with Samuel – it was difficult to win. He is very fast, has a lot of quality and is in great form, as he showed in the Tour.”
After Euskaltel-Euskadi had reeled in all the breaks, Igor Antón attacked less than five kilometers from the line. This led to a formation of an illustrious group with Antón, Sánchez, Mosquera, Vincenzo Nibali and Morris Possoni. Rider after rider dropped back until only Sánchez and Mosquera were left to battle it out inside the final kilometer.
Break forms late
It took until the second sprint of the day in yesterday’s finish town of Salas De Los Infantes when three riders used a few seconds advantage at the sprint line to form the break of the day (km 58). Kurt Hovelynck had taken the sprint ahead of Stijn Neirynck and José Vicente Toribio. Within ten kilometers they had 3’50 on the bunch.
At the KOM of the Alto Del Collado De Vilviestre (km 100), Toribio was ahead of Neirynck and Hovelynck. Manuel Calvente led the peloton over the peak 2’33 behind.
The next KOM at km 119 had the same order for the first four riders, but more points awarded, so José Iván Gutiérrez and Marcos García also scored. At this point there was a shuffle in the front group, now formed by Valero Agnoli, Toribio, Dario Cioni and García.
At km 127 the order over the Pasil De Rozamientos was Cioni ahead of Toribio, García, Agnoli. Then 26 seconds later David Arroyo led Mikel Nieve, Nick Nuyens, Ivan Santaromita and Alexandre Botcharov, all of them still receiving points.
Only Agnoli and García remained on the front after 141 kilometers, with a gap of 20 seconds. But five kilometers from the finish it was over for the duo. The group was reduced to 20 riders, pulled along by the Euskaltel team. Igor Antón pulled hard to get his captain, Sánchez, into the best position, which worked to perfection.
Results final stage
1. Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) 3:59:39
2. Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo-Galicia) 0’01
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) 0’16
4. Igor Antón (Euskaltel Euskadi) 0’24
5. Morris Possoni (Sky) 0’28
6. Ivan Gutiérrez (Caise) 0’57
7. Michele Scarponi (Androni) a 1’10
8. Gianpaolo Caruso (Katusha)
General standings after final stage
1. Samuel Sánchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) 16:15:38
2. Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) 0’01
3. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) 0’21
4. Oliver Zaugg 0’37