Finally!

The picture says it all. Finally the team got it's first win of the year. And what a way to get it. Responding to an attack by Horner two kilometres from the top of the legendary Arrate climb, Samu attacked and gapped, not only Horner, but Valverde and Gesink as well. He then extended his gap on the short descent to the line in the trademark daredevil style of his. Is there a better descender out there than our very own Samu? I don't think so. Anyway, he successfully held off the chasing trio to grab his and his team's first win of the year. What a way to get it, and how sweet it must be for him given that all hope seemed lost when he suffered from allergies on the first stage and lost out on the chance to win overall. What a way to bounce back. Praise also goes out to the whole team: Egoi, Alan, Rubén, JJ and Egoi for working tirelessly for their leader throughout the day. Amets for being in the break of the day, accumulating more than enough points to don, and most likely win, the climber's jersey, and for being the last surviving member of the break, only being reeled in with three clicks to go to the top. Inspired and gutsy ride from Amets. Iván for once again displaying excellent climbing form and being there for his captain when he needed him the most on the last climb. And Beñat for his amazing ride to fifth on the stage and fifth overall. I told you the boy was special. He came in with Peraud just 33 seconds back and ahead of riders like Cunego, Joaquín Rodríguez, Andy Schleck, Casar, Klöden, Zubeldia and several other strong riders. Amets wasn't far behind either, coming home 15th just 1:11 down. That's an amazing ride from a rider who spent the whole day in the break. Iván came in 1:16 down, great ride by him, while JJ and Egoi came in 6:56 back. Rubén and Alan came in a full 17:42 down, but these numbers don't really matter. It's about the team, and man did they put on a sho today! The overall now looks like this:

• 5th, Beñat Intxausti, 0:32
• 18th, Samuel Sánchez, 1:36
• 25th, Iván Velasco, 2:54
• 46th, Egoi Martínez, 9:35
• 49th, Juan José Oroz, 10:47
• 81st, Amets Txurruka, 22:19
• 83rd, Rubén Pérez, 23:02
• 124th, Alan Pérez, 41:10