Beñat storms to ITT win and GC lead

Beñat took his very first win as a pro today in the Vuelta a Asturias to cap of an amazing April for the team. Beñat's resounding time trial win was Euskaltel's fifth of the month, and it was made even better by Jonathan Castroviejo's second place. Big ride from his as well, he's looking good in his first season with the team. The time trial distance was a rather short 14,3 kilometre trek in and around Piedras Blancas, but he still managed to win it by a big 17 seconds on number two Jonathan, and importantly 19 seconds ahead of GC danger-man Angel Vicioso. As a result he's four seconds ahead of Vicioso overall going in to tomorrow's mountain-top finish stage. The day's early road stage from Gijón to Avilés saw Gorka in the break, as usual, while Pablo grabbed a good 7th place in the dash for the line. Not bad. But the time trial performance was simply amazing. Beñat first, Jonathan second and Romain eighth. The future's looking bright. Let's hope Beñat can maintain his slender four-second lead tomorrow and as a result win the race overall. But it's far from a done deal mind you. Vicioso is looking superb these days and tomorrow's stage suit him perfectly. But it also suits Beñat, so hopefully he can keep Vicioso quiet. Here's the GC:

• 1, Benat Intxausti
• 27, Romain Sicard, 1:56
• 46, Jorge Azanza, 3:43
• 88, Javier Aramendía, 11:18
• 95, Jonathan Castroviejo, 13:17
• 96, Gorka Izagirre, 14:44
• 98, Miguel Minguez, 17:03