2003 Vuelta a España
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dates | 6–28 September | ||
| Stages | 21 | ||
| Distance | 2,957 km (1,837 mi) | ||
| Winning time | 69h 31' 52" (42.55 km/h or 26.44 mph) | ||
| Palmares | |||
 |
Winner |  Roberto Heras (ESP) |
(US Postal) |
| Second | Isidro Nozal (ESP) |
(ONCE-Eroski) | |
| Third | Alejandro Valverde (ESP) |
(Communidad Valenciana-Kelme) | |
 |
Points |  Erik Zabel (GER) |
(Team Telekom) |
 |
Mountains |  Félix Cárdenas (COL) |
(Cage Maglierie) |
| Team | iBanesto.com | ||
The 58th Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain), a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from September 6 to September 28, 2003. It consisted of 21 stages covering a total of 2,957 km, and was won by Roberto Heras of the US Postal cycling team.
Isidro Nozal lead the general classification for much of the race until succumbing to the pressure posed by Roberto Heras who closed the gap to Nozal over the final days and took the jersey in the final time trial. The points jersey was won by Erik Zabel from Germany, the mountain jersey was won by Félix Cárdenas from Colombia and the combination jersey was won by Alejandro Valverde. iBanesto.com was the winner of the team ranking. Alessandro Petacchi, an Italian sprinter won four stages.
Jersey Progress
General classification
| Rank | Rider | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roberto Heras | US Postal | 69h31'52" |
| 2 | Isidro Nozal | ONCE-Eroski | '28" |
| 3 | Alejandro Valverde | Kelme-Costa Blanca | 2'25" |
| 4 | Igor González de Galdeano | ONCE-Eroski | 3'27" |
| 5 | Francisco Mancebo | iBanesto.com | 4'47" |
| 6 | Manuel Beltrán | US Postal | 5'51" |
| 7 |  Michael Rasmussen | Rabobank | 5'56" |
| 8 | Félix Cárdenas | Labarca 2-Cafe Baque | 6'33" |
| 9 | Unai Osa | iBanesto.com | 6'52" |
| 10 | Luis Pérez | Cofidis | 7'56" |
| 11 | Santos González | Domina Vacanze-Elitron | 9'08" |
| 12 | Óscar Sevilla | Kelme-Costa Blanca | 9'52" |
| 13 |  Michele Scarponi | Domina Vacanze-Elitron | 10'13" |
| 14 | Marcos Serrano | Team ONCE | 12'51" |
| 15 | Félix Garcia | Team Bianchi | 14'18" |
| 16 | Txema Del Olmo | Milaneza-MSS | 14'38" |
| 17 | Óscar Pereiro | Phonak Hearing Systems | 17'05" |
| 18 | Iker Flores | Euskaltel-Euskadi | 18'31" |
| 19 | Guido Trentin | Cofidis | 29'34" |
| 20 | Josep Jufre | Colchon Relax-Fuenlabrada | 33'30" |
| 21 | Dario Frigo | Fassa Bortolo | 40'19" |
| 22 | Íñigo Cuesta | Cofidis | 41'18" |
| 23 | Leonardo Piepoli | iBanesto.com | 46'45" |
| 24 | Manuel Calvente | Team CSC | 47'54" |
| 25 | Aitor Osa | iBanesto.com | 49'39" |
External links
- La Vuelta (Official site in Spanish, English, and French)
- Cyclingnews.com 2003 Vuelta a Espana coverage
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