2010 Tour of the Basque Country

2010 Vuelta al País Vasco
2010 UCI ProTour
2010 UCI World Ranking, race 1 of 26
Race details
Dates 5–10 April
Stages 6
Distance 888 km (551.8 mi)
Winning time 23h 27' 30" (37.854 km/h or 23.521 mph)
Palmares
Winner  Chris Horner (USA) (Team RadioShack)
Second  Beñat Intxausti (ESP) (Euskaltel–Euskadi)
Third  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) (Team Katusha)

Points  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) (Euskaltel–Euskadi)
Mountains  Gonzalo Rabuñal (ESP) (Xacobeo–Galicia)
Sprints  Christian Meier (CAN) (Garmin–Transitions)
Team Team HTC–Columbia

The 2010 Tour of the Basque Country, was the 50th edition of the Tour of the Basque Country cycling stage race. It started on 5 April and ended on 10 April. Chris Horner won the race 7 seconds ahead of Alejandro Valverde after winning the sixth and final stage which was an individual time trial 8 seconds ahead of Valverde. Valverde's results were subsequently removed after a retroactive suspension was applied.[1]

Pre-Race Favourites

Two time defending champion, Alberto Contador announced that he would not be taking part in the 2010 Tour. Instead he put his focus at the Critérium International.[2] 2009 Tour de France runner up Andy Schleck and his brother, Fränk Schleck as well as 2009 Vuelta a España champion Alejandro Valverde were heavy favourites. However other favourites also included Team RadioShack's Andreas Klöden, Italy's Damiano Cunego and Samuel Sánchez from Spain.[3]

Teams

There are 20 teams competing in the 2010 Tour of the Basque Country. They are:[4]

Stages

Stage 1

5 April 2010 – Zierbena to Zierbena, 152 km (94 mi)

Alejandro Valverde was awarded the opening stage after Óscar Freire, who crossed the line first, was disqualified for interfering with him in the sprint. After the subsequent removal of Valverde's results, Freire was reinstated as stage winner.[5] Pre-race favourite, Samuel Sánchez missed a decisive split in the peloton and finished 1:38 behind the peloton, making a victory for him seem very unlikely.[6]

Stage 1 results
Cyclist Team Time
1  Óscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank 3h 57' 57"
2  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3  Christophe Le Mével (FRA) Française des Jeux s.t.
4  Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin–Transitions s.t.
5  Alexandr Kolobnev (RUS) Team Katusha s.t.
6  Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto s.t.
7  Rigoberto Urán (COL) Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
8  Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) Team RadioShack s.t.
9  Dan Martin (IRL) Garmin–Transitions s.t.
10  Benat Intxausti (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi s.t.
General classification after Stage 1
Cyclist Team Time
1  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne 3h 57' 57"
2  Óscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank s.t.
3  Christophe Le Mével (FRA) Française des Jeux s.t.
4  Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin–Transitions s.t.
5  Alexandr Kolobnev (RUS) Team Katusha s.t.
6  Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto s.t.
7  Rigoberto Urán (COL) Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
8  Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) Team RadioShack s.t.
9  Dan Martin (IRL) Garmin–Transitions s.t.
10  Benat Intxausti (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi s.t.

Stage 2

6 April 2010 – Zierbena to Viana, 217 km (135 mi)
Stage 2 Results
Cyclist Team Time
1  Óscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank 5h 53' 40"
2  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne s.t.
3  Francesco Gavazzi (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 1"
4  Michael Albasini (SUI) Team HTC–Columbia + 1"
5  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 1"
6  Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin–Transitions + 1"
7  Kristijan Koren (SLO) Liquigas–Doimo + 1"
8  Alexandr Kolobnev (RUS) Team Katusha + 1"
9  Damiano Cunego (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 1"
10  Paul Martens (GER) Rabobank + 1"
General classification after Stage 2
Cyclist Team Time
1  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne 9h 51' 38"
2  Óscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank s.t.
3  Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin–Transitions + 1"
4  Alexandr Kolobnev (RUS) Team Katusha + 1"
5  Rigoberto Urán (COL) Caisse d'Epargne + 1"
6  Dan Martin (IRL) Garmin–Transitions + 1"
7  Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) Team RadioShack + 1"
8  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha + 1"
9  Damiano Cunego (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 1"
10  Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 1"

Stage 3

7 April 2010– Viana to Amurrio, 187 km (116 mi)
Stage 3 Results
Cyclist Team Time
1  Francesco Gavazzi (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini 4h 49' 52"
2  Óscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank s.t.
3  Peter Velits (SVK) Team HTC–Columbia s.t.
4  Alexander Bocharov (RUS) Team Katusha s.t.
5  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi s.t.
6  Davide Vigano (ITA) Team Sky s.t.
7  Christian Knees (GER) Team Milram s.t.
8  Davide Malacarne (ITA) Quick-Step s.t.
9  Paul Martens (GER) Rabobank s.t.
10  Kristijan Koren (SLO) Liquigas–Doimo s.t.
General classification after Stage 3
Cyclist Team Time
1  Óscar Freire (ESP) Rabobank 14h 41' 30"
2  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne + 2"
3  Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin–Transitions + 3"
4  Alexandr Kolobnev (RUS) Team Katusha + 3"
5  Haimar Zubeldia (ESP) Team RadioShack + 3"
6  Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia + 3"
7  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha + 3"
8  Damiano Cunego (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 3"
9  Dries Devenyns (BEL) Quick-Step + 3"
10  Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 3"

Stage 4

8 April 2010 – Murgia to Eibar, 160 km (99 mi)

After missing a decisive split that put him over 1:30 behind the race leader, it was the Olympic Champion Samuel Sánchez who won the hilliest stage of this year's tour.

Samuel Sánchez caught Chris Horner at the top of the Alto de Usartza climb and then dived down the short descent to the finish to win by two seconds. Alejandro Valverde and Robert Gesink also caught Chris Horner who barely managed to stay with them.

The victory put Alejandro Valverde only one second ahead of Chris Horner and Robert Gesink respectively. The overall favourites knew they had to wait for the Alto de Usartza, that ended just two kilometres from the finish.

Samuel Sánchez's victory was Euskaltel–Euskadi's first victory of the 2010 cycling year as well.[7]

Stage 4 Results
Cyclist Team Time
1  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi 4h 05' 16"
2  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne + 2"
3  Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank + 2"
4  Chris Horner (USA) Team RadioShack + 2"
5  Beñat Intxausti (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 33"
6  Jean-Christophe Péraud (FRA) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 33"
7  Damiano Cunego (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 40"
8  Andy Schleck (LUX) Team Saxo Bank + 40"
9  Sandy Casar (FRA) Française des Jeux + 49"
10  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha + 49"
General classification after Stage 4
Cyclist Team Time
1  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne 18h 46' 50"
2  Chris Horner (USA) Team RadioShack + 1"
3  Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank + 1"
4  Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 32"
5  Beñat Intxausti (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 32"
6  Damiano Cunego (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 39"
7  Andy Schleck (LUX) Team Saxo Bank + 39"
8  Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia + 48"
9  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha + 48"
10  Sandy Casar (FRA) Française des Jeux + 48"

Stage 5

9 April 2010 – Eibar to Orio, 170 km (110 mi)

Joaquim Rodríguez soloed across the finish line, taking 14 seconds off of race leader Alejandro Valverde and put him comfortably in 3rd place. 2008 Champion Samuel Sánchez came in 2nd place, just ahead of race leader Alejandro Valverde.

A large attack group including mountains classification leader Amets Txurruka spent much of the day ahead of the peloton. On the penultimate climb Txurruka attacked solo, but crashed on the descent towards the final climb. He was able to complete the stage, but broke his collarbone in the incident and had to drop out before the final time trial.

Robert Gesink who was in 3rd place after the previous stage, is now in 8th place after experiencing a crash on the final climb. His team (Rabobank) reported that he may have broken a bone in his hand.

Joaquim Rodríguez had attacked out of the chasing peloton with about 20 km to go, passing the remnants of an earlier escape group. He had come into the stage 48 seconds down on the general ranking, dangerous enough for Valverde, Horner and Sánchez to give chase.

Joaquim Rodríguez was happy with the result and the ITT is different than normal because it has a hilly finish. His dream is to take the GC.[8]

Stage 5 Results
Cyclist Team Time
1  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha 4h 07' 52"
2  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 14"
3  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne + 14"
4  Chris Horner (USA) Team RadioShack + 14"
5  Sandy Casar (FRA) Française des Jeux + 20"
6  Francesco Gavazzi (ITA) Lampre–Farnese Vini + 20"
7  Ryder Hesjedal (CAN) Garmin–Transitions + 20"
8  Dries Devenyns (BEL) Quick-Step + 20"
9  Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 20"
10  Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 20"
General classification after Stage 5
Cyclist Team Time
1  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne 22h 54' 56"
2  Chris Horner (USA) Team RadioShack + 1"
3  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha + 34"
4  Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 38"
5  Beñat Intxausti (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 38"
6  Andy Schleck (LUX) Team Saxo Bank + 45"
7  Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia + 54"
8  Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank + 54"
9  Sandy Casar (FRA) Française des Jeux + 54"
10  Dries Devenyns (BEL) Quick-Step + 1' 16"

Stage 6

10 April 2010 – Orio to Orio, 22 km (14 mi) (Individual Time Trial)
Stage 6 Results
Cyclist Team Time
1  Chris Horner (USA) Team RadioShack 32' 33"
2  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne + 8"
3  Maxime Monfort (BEL) Team HTC–Columbia + 13"
4  Michael Rogers (AUS) Team HTC–Columbia + 18"
5  Beñat Intxausti (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 21"
6  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 23"
7  Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia + 25"
8  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha + 33"
9  Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA) Omega Pharma–Lotto s.t.
10  Andreas Klöden (GER) Team RadioShack + 34""
General classification after Stage 6
Cyclist Team Time
1  Chris Horner (USA) Team RadioShack 23h 27' 30"
2  Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Caisse d'Epargne + 7"
3  Beñat Intxausti (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 58"
4  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha + 1' 06"
5  Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 1' 10"
6  Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia + 1' 18"
7  Sandy Casar (FRA) Française des Jeux + 1' 47"
8  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 1' 58"
9  Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank + 1' 59"
10  Dries Devenyns (BEL) Quick-Step + 2' 27"

Classification Leadership

Stage Winner General classification
Points Classification
Mountains Classification
Sprints Classification
Team Classification
1 Alejandro Valverde
Óscar Freire
Alejandro Valverde
Óscar Freire
Alejandro Valverde
Óscar Freire
Gonzalo Rabuñal Christian Meier Team RadioShack
2 Alejandro Valverde
Óscar Freire
3 Francesco Gavazzi Óscar Freire Óscar Freire
4 Samuel Sánchez Alejandro Valverde
Chris Horner
Alejandro Valverde
Samuel Sánchez
Amets Txurruka
5 Joaquim Rodríguez
6 Chris Horner Chris Horner Gonzalo Rabuñal Team HTC–Columbia
Final
Chris Horner Alejandro Valverde
Samuel Sánchez
Gonzalo Rabuñal Christian Meier Team HTC–Columbia

Final Results

General classification

Rider Team Time
1  Chris Horner (USA) Team RadioShack 23h 27' 30"
2  Beñat Intxausti (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 58"
3  Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) Team Katusha + 1' 06"
4  Jean-Christophe Peraud (FRA) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 1' 10"
5  Marco Pinotti (ITA) Team HTC–Columbia + 1' 18"
6  Sandy Casar (FRA) Française des Jeux + 1' 47"
7  Samuel Sánchez (ESP) Euskaltel–Euskadi + 1' 58"
8  Robert Gesink (NED) Rabobank + 1' 59"
9  Dries Devenyns (BEL) Quick-Step + 2' 27"
10  Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL) Omega Pharma–Lotto + 2' 37"

Team classification

Pos. Team Time
1 Team HTC–Columbia 70h 28′ 40″
2 Team RadioShack + 17″
3 Euskaltel–Euskadi + 2′ 14″
4 Caisse d'Epargne + 6′ 09″
5 Team Katusha + 14′ 32″
6 Française des Jeux + 18′ 08″
7 Rabobank + 20′ 44″
8 Omega Pharma–Lotto + 21′ 43″
9 Quick-Step + 23′ 29″
10 Team Saxo Bank + 24′ 17″

See also

References

  1. "The CAS imposes a two-year ban on Alejandro Valverde". CAS. 2009-05-31. Retrieved 2009-05-31.
  2. Etib (2010-03-17). "Alberto Contador won't compete in Tour of the Basque Country". Etib. Etib. Retrieved 2010-03-30.
  3. Etib (2010-03-29). "Valverde and Schleck leading figures in Tour of the Basque Country". Etib. Etib. Retrieved 2010-03-31.
  4. Universal Sports (2010-03-29). "Tour of the Basque Country – Start list". Universal Sports. Universal Sports. Archived from the original on 5 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
  5. UCI Rankings (2010-04-05). "Results Men Elite Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco (ESP) Stage 1: Zierbena - Zierbena". UCI. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
  6. Cycling News (2010-04-05). "Valverde wins opening stage after Freire is relegated". Cycling News. Future Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on 8 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
  7. Cycling News (2010-04-08). "Sanchez wins hilly stage in Pais Vasco". Cycling News. Future Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-08.
  8. Cycling News (2010-04-09). "Rodriguez solos in for Katusha". Cycling News. Future Publishing Limited. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
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