2012 Vuelta a España

67th edition of the cycling race 2012 Vuelta a España 2012 UCI World Tour 22 28 Vuelta a España 2012.png 300px 18 August – 9 September 21 3360.2 km 84h 59' 49" Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b red Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP KAT 2012 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 green Simon Clarke AUS GEC 2012b blue polkadot Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 white ESP MOV 2012 2011 2013 The 2012 Vuelta a España started on 18 August 2012 and was the 67th edition of the race. The race began in Pamplona with a team time trial and ended on 9 September, as traditional, in Madrid. The 2012 edition saw the return of the Bola del Mundo mountain top finish. It was the venue of an exciting battle between winner Vincenzo Nibali and runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera in the 2010 edition.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2012-vuelta-a-espana-to-start-in-pamplona 2012 Vuelta a España to start in Pamplona Cyclingnews.com 2011-09-08 2012-07-23http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vuelta-a-espana-2012-with-team-time-trial-and-bola-del-mundo 2012 Vuelta a España 2012 with team time trial and Bola del Mundo Cyclingnews.com 2011-11-05 2012-07-23 It was the first time since 1994 that the race visited the region of Navarre. The previous time that Pamplona was visited by a Grand Tour in 1996, when the city hosted the finish of a memorable stage of the 1996 Tour de France. On that occasion, the race paid homage to Miguel Indurain by passing through his home village of Villava en route. The race was won for the second time by Alberto Contador of SAX 2012b, taking his first overall victory since returning from a doping suspension.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/9531812/Alberto-Contador-marks-his-return-from-drugs-ban-with-Tour-of-Spain-victory.html Alberto Contador marks his return from drugs ban with Tour of Spain victory 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 The Daily Telegraph Telegraph Media Group Contador, who won the seventeenth stage of the race after a solo attack, won the general classification by 1' 16" over runner-up Alejandro Valverde of the MOV 2012 team. Two-time stage winner Valverde also won two sub-classifications on the final day; by taking a sixth-place finish on the stage into Madrid, he overhauled the points tally of Joaquim Rodríguez (KAT 2012) in that classification, and their resultant switch of positions, allowed Valverde to take the combination classification – where the lowest cumulative score across the general, points and mountains classifications wins – as well.http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12830/Vuelta-a-Espana-John-Degenkolb-gets-number-five-on-final-stage-as-Contador-wins.aspx John Degenkolb gets number five on final stage as Contador wins Ben Atkins 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 VeloNation VeloNation LLC Completing an all-Spanish podium,Alberto Contador wins second Vuelta a Espana title https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/19537111 BBC Sport BBC 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 Rodríguez finished the race third overall, 21 seconds behind Valverde and 1' 37" behind Contador, having led the race for 13 days between the fourth and sixteenth stages. Rodríguez also achieved three stage victories, a tally second only to ARG 2012b sprinter John Degenkolb who won five stages, the most by a German at the Vuelta.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/high-five-for-degenkolb-in-madrid High five for Degenkolb in Madrid Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited OGE 2012b's Simon Clarke became the second Australian to win the mountains classification in a Grand Tour, while the MOV 2012 yes comfortably won the teams classification.http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-21/results Degenkolb takes fifth Vuelta stage win in Madrid Daniel Benson 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 Cycling News Future Publishing Limited dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130102215145/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-21/results 2 January 2013 Teams List of teams and cyclists in the 2012 Vuelta a España The 18 UCI ProTour teams were automatically entitled to start the race and were joined by four teams that received a wildcard in April 2012.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vuelta-a-espana-announces-its-22-teams-for-2012 Vuelta a España announces its 22 teams for 2012 Cyclingnews.com Future Publishing Limited 23 April 2012 19 August 2012 The 18 ProTour teams: 22em ALM 2012 AST 2012 BMC 2012 EUS 2012 FDJ 2012 GRM 2012b GEC 2012b KAT 2012 LAM 2012 LIQ 2012 LTB 2012 MOV 2012 OPQ 2012 RAB 2012 RNT 2012 SAX 2012b SKY 2012 VAC 2012 Teams receiving a wildcard: ACG 2012 CJR 2012 COF 2012 ARG 2012b For more details, see List of teams and cyclists in the 2012 Vuelta a España. Pre-race favourites The winner of the 2008 edition of the race, Alberto Contador, made his first Grand Tour appearance since his ban after testing positive for a banned substance at the 2010 Tour de France, and was considered by many the top favourite for overall victory. Another favourite was Chris Froome, who had at the time finished second in the 2011 Vuelta and 2012 Tour de France, and he started the 2012 Vuelta as team leader of SKY 2012, having previously worked for Bradley Wiggins. The then winner of the 2011 edition, Juan José Cobo, was looking to replicate his previous year's form after a disappointing 2012 season, and he was co-leader of the MOV 2012 alongside Alejandro Valverde. Other contenders for the podium included Joaquim Rodríguez of KAT 2012, who finished second in the 2012 Giro d'Italia, Igor Antón of EUS 2012, Jurgen Van den Broeck of LTB 2012, Damiano Cunego of LAM 2012 and Robert Gesink of RAB 2012. Riders who could have made the top ten included Froome's Colombian teammates at SKY 2012 yes, Rigoberto Urán and Sergio Henao, RAB 2012 yes's Bauke Mollema, RNT 2012's Maxime Monfort, VCD 2012's Thomas De Gendt and ALM 2012's Nicolas Roche. Route + Stage characteristics and winnersStageDateCourseDistanceTypeWinner118 AugustPamplona16.5 km on20px|Team Time TrialTeam Time TrialESP MOV 2012219 August Pamplona to Viana 181.4 km on22pxFlat StageJohn Degenkolb GER320 August Oion to Arrate (Eibar) 155.3 km on22pxMedium Mountain Stage Alejandro Valverde ESP421 August Barakaldo to Valdezcaray 160.6 km on22pxMedium Mountain Stage Simon Clarke AUS522 August Logroño to Logroño 168 km on22pxFlat Stage John Degenkolb GER623 August Tarazona to El Fuerte del Rapitán (Jaca) 175.4 km on22pxMedium Mountain Stage Joaquim Rodríguez ESP724 August Huesca to Motorland Aragon (Alcañiz) 164.2 km on22pxFlat Stage John Degenkolb GER825 August Lleida to Coll de la Gallina 174.7 km on22pxMountain Stage Alejandro Valverde ESP926 August Andorra to Barcelona 196.3 km on22pxFlat Stage Philippe Gilbert BEL27 AugustRest day1028 August Ponteareas to Sanxenxo 190 km on22pxFlat Stage John Degenkolb GER1129 August Cambados to Pontevedra 39.4 km on20px|Team Time TrialIndividual Time Trial Fredrik Kessiakoff SWE1230 August Vilagarcía to Mirador de Ézaro (Dumbría) 190.5 km on22pxMedium Mountain Stage Joaquim Rodríguez ESP1331 August Santiago de Compostela to Ferrol 172.8 km on22pxFlat Stage Steve Cummings GBR141 September Palas de Rei to Los Ancares 149.2 km on22pxMountain Stage Joaquim Rodríguez ESP152 September La Robla to Lagos de Covadonga 186.5 km on22pxMountain StageAntonio Piedra ESP163 September Gijón to Cuitu Negru 183.5 km on22pxMountain StageDario Cataldo ITA4 SeptemberRest day175 September Santander to Fuente Dé 187.3 km on22pxMedium Mountain StageAlberto Contador ESP186 September Aguilar de Campoo to Valladolid 204.5 km on22pxFlat StageDaniele Bennati ITA197 September Peñafiel to La Lastrilla 178.4 km on22pxFlat Stage Philippe Gilbert BEL208 September Palazuelos de Eresma to Bola del Mundo 170.7 km on22pxMountain Stage Denis Menchov RUS219 September Cercedilla to Madrid 115 km on22pxFlat StageJohn Degenkolb GER Total 3360.2 km on Race overview For details see 2012 Vuelta a España, Stage 1 to Stage 11 and 2012 Vuelta a España, Stage 12 to Stage 21 Classification leadership table There were four main classifications contested in the 2012 Vuelta a España, with the most important being the general classification. The general classification was calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage. The cyclist with the least accumulated time was the race leader, identified by the red jersey; the winner of this classification was considered the winner of the Vuelta. In 2012, there were time bonuses given on mass-start stages; twelve seconds were awarded to the stage winner, with eight for second and four for third.http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/08/news/2012-vuelta-a-espana-serves-up-a-mountainous-unpredictable-course_234601 2012 Vuelta a España serves up a mountainous, unpredictable course Andrew Hood VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 16 August 2012 30 December 2013 20 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120820134143/http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/08/news/2012-vuelta-a-espana-serves-up-a-mountainous-unpredictable-course_234601 dead Additionally, there was a points classification, which awards a green jersey. In the points classification, cyclists get points for finishing among the best in a stage finish, or in intermediate sprints. The cyclist with the most points led the classification, and is identified with a green jersey. There was also a mountains classification. The organisation categorised some climbs as either hors catégorie, first, second, third, or fourth-category; points for this classification were won by the first cyclists that reach the top of these climbs, with more points available for the higher-categorised climbs. The cyclist with the most points led the classification, and was identified with a blue polka dot jersey. The fourth individual classification was the combination classification, marked by the white jersey. This classification is calculated by adding the numeral ranks of each cyclist in the general, points and mountains classifications – a rider must have a score in all classifications possible to qualify for the combination classification – with the lowest cumulative total signifying the winner of this competition. For the team classification, the times of the best three cyclists per team on each stage were added; the leading team is the team with the lowest total time. For the combativity award, a jury gives points after each stage to the cyclists they considered most combative. The cyclist with the most votes in all stages leads the classification. For the daily combative winner, the rider in question donned a dossard with a red background, on the following stage. Stage Winner General classification25px Points classification25px Mountains classification25px Combination classification25px Team classification Combativity award 1 MOV 2012 Jonathan Castroviejo not awarded not awarded not awarded MOV 2012 Imanol Erviti 2 John Degenkolb John Degenkolb Javier Chacón Javier Chacón Javier Aramendia 3 Alejandro Valverde Alejandro Valverde Alejandro Valverde Pim Ligthart Alejandro Valverde Philippe Gilbert 4 Simon Clarke Joaquim Rodríguez Simon Clarke Simon Clarke Joaquim Rodríguez RAB 2012 Luis Ángel Maté 5 John Degenkolb John Degenkolb Javier Chacón 6 Joaquim Rodríguez SKY 2012 Thomas De Gendt 7 John Degenkolb Javier Aramendia 8 Alejandro Valverde Alejandro Valverde RAB 2012 Javier Aramendia 9 Philippe Gilbert Joaquim Rodríguez Javier Chacón 10 John Degenkolb John Degenkolb Javier Aramendia 11 Fredrik Kessiakoff Fredrik Kessiakoff 12 Joaquim Rodríguez Joaquim Rodríguez Mikel Astarloza 13 Steve Cummings Juan Antonio Flecha 14 Joaquim Rodríguez Simon Clarke Juan Manuel Gárate 15 Antonio Piedra MOV 2012 Antonio Piedra 16 Dario Cataldo Dario Cataldo 17 Alberto Contador Alberto Contador Alberto Contador 18 Daniele Bennati Gatis Smukulis 19 Philippe Gilbert Ji Cheng 20 Denis Menchov Simon Clarke 21 John Degenkolb Alejandro Valverde Alejandro Valverde not awarded Final Alberto Contador Alejandro Valverde Simon Clarke Alejandro Valverde MOV 2012 Alberto Contador Notes In stage 3, Javier Aramendia, who was second in the combination classification, wore the white jersey, because Javier Chacón (in first place) wore the blue polka-dot jersey as leader of the mountains classification during that stage. In stage 4, John Degenkolb, who was second in the points classification, wore the green jersey, because Alejandro Valverde (in first place) wore the red jersey as leader of the general classification during that stage. As well as that, Joaquim Rodríguez, who was second in the combination classification, wore the white jersey as Valverde also holds the lead of that classification. In stage 5, Pim Ligthart, who was second in the mountains classification, wore the blue polka-dot jersey, because Simon Clarke (in first place) wore the green jersey as leader of the points classification during that stage. As well as that, Alejandro Valverde, who was second in the combination classification wore the white jersey as Joaquim Rodríguez wore the red jersey as leader of the general classification. In stages 6, 7 and 8, Alejandro Valverde, who was second in the combination classification wore the white jersey as Joaquim Rodríguez (in first place) wore the red jersey as leader of the general classification. In stages 9, 10 and 11, Chris Froome, who was third in the combination classification wore the white jersey as Joaquim Rodríguez (in first place) wore the red jersey as leader of the general classification, and Alejandro Valverde (in second place) wore the blue polka-dot jersey as leader of the mountains classification. In stage 10, John Degenkolb, who was second in the points classification wore the green jersey as Joaquim Rodríguez (in first place) wore the red jersey as leader of the general classification. In stages 12, 13 and 14, Alberto Contador, who was third in the combination classification wore the white jersey as Joaquim Rodríguez (in first place) wore the red jersey as leader of the general classification, and Alejandro Valverde (in second place) wore the blue polka-dot jersey as leader of the mountains classification. In stage 13, John Degenkolb, who was third in the points classification wore the green jersey as Joaquim Rodríguez (in first place) wore the red jersey as leader of the general classification, and Alejandro Valverde (in second place) wore the blue polka-dot jersey as leader of the mountains classification. In stage 14, Degenkolb still wore the green jersey, as the second-placed rider in the points classification. In stages 15, 16 and 17, Alejandro Valverde, who was second in the points classification, wore the green jersey, as Joaquim Rodríguez (in first place) wore the red jersey as leader of the general classification and Alberto Contador, who was third in the combination classification, wore the white jersey. In stages 18 and 19, Alejandro Valverde, who is second in the combination classification, will wear the white jersey, as Joaquim Rodríguez (in first place) will wear the green jersey as leader of the points classification. Standings General classification RiderTeamTime 1 Alberto Contador ESP 20px SAX 2012b 84h 59' 49" 2 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px 20px MOV 2012 + 1' 16" 3 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP KAT 2012 + 1' 37" 4 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 10' 16" 5 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 11' 29" 6 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 12' 23" 7 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 13' 28" 8 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 13' 41" 9 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 14' 01" 10 Beñat Intxausti ESP MOV 2012 + 16' 13" Points classification RiderTeamPoints 1 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px 20px MOV 2012 199 2 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP KAT 2012 193 3 Alberto Contador ESP 20px SAX 2012b 161 4 John Degenkolb GER ARG 2012b 149 5 Daniele Bennati ITA RNT 2012 107 6 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 93 7 Allan Davis AUS OGE 2012b 84 8 Elia Viviani ITA LIQ 2012 79 9 Lloyd Mondory FRA ALM 2012 74 10 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 72 King of the Mountains classification RiderTeamPoints 1 Simon Clarke AUS 20px OGE 2012b 63 2 David de la Fuente ESP CJR 2012 40 3 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP KAT 2012 36 4 Thomas De Gendt BEL VCD 2012 33 5 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px 20px MOV 2012 31 6 Alberto Contador ESP 20px SAX 2012b 28 7 Dario Cataldo ITA OPQ 2012 27 8 Richie Porte AUS SKY 2012 21 9 Denis Menchov RUS KAT 2012 20 10 David Moncoutié FRA COF 2012 18 Combination classification RiderTeamTotal 1 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px 20px MOV 2012 8 2 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP KAT 2012 8 3 Alberto Contador ESP 20px SAX 2012b 10 4 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 30 5 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 48 6 Nicolas Roche IRL ALM 2012 65 7 Eros Capecchi ITA LIQ 2012 79 8 Thomas De Gendt BEL VCD 2012 80 9 Dario Cataldo ITA OPQ 2012 85 10 Sergio Henao COL SKY 2012 88 Team classification Pos.TeamTime1 ESP MOV 2012 254h 52' 49"2 ESP EUS 2012 + 9' 40"3 FRA ALM 2012 + 20' 19"4 NED RAB 2012 + 23' 48"5 GBR SKY 2012 + 26' 55″6KAT 2012 + 36' 07"7 ITA LAM 2012 + 53' 00″8 DEN SAX 2012b + 1h 1' 11"9 LUX RNT 2012 + 1h 17' 34"10 ESP CJR 2012 + 1h 25' 10" References 30em External links Vuelta a España 2012 http://www.lavuelta.com/indexen.html 2012 Vuelta a España 1 11 12 21 2012 1 Category:2012 UCI World Tour Category:August 2012 sports events in Spain Category:September 2012 sports events in Spain