Gorka shines, but organisers ruin race

The organizing committee of the Vuelta Ciclista a Valenciana has clearly had better days. With two riders in front and 10 clicks to go, and two chase groups in hot pursuit not far behind, something rare and, I have to admit it, something I've never seen before, happened. The chase groups, who would surely have reeled the duo of Plaza and Vázquez back in, were directed the wrong way. All of a sudden they were riding on a highway, full of cars, parallel to the two leaders, who'd been shown the right way to the finishline. The two groups, with Gorka in the first one, and Haimar and Rubén in the second, lost a lot of time and are now most likely out of the running for overall classification honours. Gorka ended up only 16 seconds in arrears in a magnificent 7th spot, but it was considerably worse for Haimar and Rubén. They both lost 2:25, and are now well back on GC. As a result Gorka dropped to 4th on GC, but he's still only 26 seconds down on the leader. Haimar though will have to go for stage-wins if he is to win anything in this year's race, as he's now 2:34 back in 26th place. Stage results:

• 7th, Gorka Verdugo, 0:16
• 25th, Rubén Pérez, 2:25
• 35th, Haimar Zubeldia s.t.
• 51st, Markel Irizar, 2:54
• 70th, Juanjo Oroz, 16:48
• 107th, Beñat Albizuri, 26:16
• 114th, Andoni Lafuente, s.t.
• 130th, Alán Pérez, s.t.