A powerful surge to move past André Greipel (T-Mobile) in the final 50m of today's stage has given...
A last-minute lunge (Image credit: AFP)
Thor prevails at last
A powerful surge to move past André Greipel (T-Mobile) in the final 50m of today's stage has given Thor Hushovd (Credit Agricole) his first stage win in this year's Vuelta. Hushovd, who has placed second three times already, got it right today at the end of the flat 177 km stage into León. Third place went to Erik Zabel (Milram), whose teammate Alessandro Petacchi had his first proper go at a sprint today and finished fourth. The overall standings did not change and Danilo Di Luca (Liquigas) remains the leader.
The day was fairly uneventful, as only one rider was able to get away: Mathieu Claude (Bouygues Telecom) attacked after 10 km and built up a 10'55 lead by km 43. He wasn't allowed any more than that, and the sprinters' teams were easily able to control it so that he came back with just over 20 km to go. Olivier Kaisen (Davitamon) and Enrico Franzoi (Lampre) tried their luck a few kilometres later, but it was not to be. Liquigas, Milram and finally Saunier Duval with David Millar led out the sprint, and although Milram looked to have the numbers, they couldn't hold off the charge from Hushovd and Greipel from behind.
