Beñat on the podium!
Beñat rode a blistering time trial to finish third overall in the Vuelta al País Vasco earlier today. What a performance from the youngster! Beñat had to overtake both Joaquím Rodríguez and French time trial champion Jean-Christophe Peraud on the last day to grab the last podium place, and did so with aplomb, placing 5th on the stage, just 21 seconds back on winner Horner. Awesome ride from the 'new Ibán' who's finally starting to transform talent into results. Samu was also excellent today, grabbing 6th and thus a good 8th overall. And 2nd in the Points Classification by the way. Not so bad after all, eh? Egoi was 30th, and received the 'Most Combative Rider'-prize after the stage. As always he's been aggressive, and he thouroughly deserved the accolade. In addition he ended up 3rd in the Sprint Classification. JJ was 48th, Iván 61st, Rubén 82nd and Alan 97th. Third in the Teams Classification on the day and overall. All in all a very good day. Here's the final GC:
- 3rd, Beñat Intxausti
- 8th, Samuel Sánchez
- 18th, Iván Velasco
- 44th, Egoi Martínez
- 48th, Juan José Oroz
- 71st, Rubén Pérez
- 106th, Alan Pérez
3 comments:
With these kind of time-trial skills, he just can't be compared to Iban! :)
Anyway it was fantastic to see him raise to the podium, in front of so many great riders. The original plan for him was to ride the Vuelta, but now I'm wondering if he might get a chance in the Tour. What do you think, Magnus? Maybe Euskaltel don't want to push him so fast?
I think it's a good idea to let him go all out in the Vuelta, where he might actually have a fair chance to make a big result (top 10). He won't be able to do that just yet in the Tour, but his time will come for sure! Earlier in the year I thought it would be best for the team if he could support Samu in the Tour, but he's just to damn good to be used that way! Let him ride GC in the Vuelta 2010! And if he gets a top ten he'll be one year earlier than Mayo, or what Magnus? :) Was it fifth in 2002?
Yeah, it was fifth in 2002. And I don't think he'll be in the Tour this year. After all he's only ridden one GT in his career, so I'd say, like you Bolsen, give him free reins in the Vuelta and put him in the Tour next year.
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