2012 Vuelta a España, Stage 12 to Stage 21

Cycling race stages thumb|350px|Overview of the stages; red lines represent distances covered in the individual stages, while black dotted lines are the distances covered in transfers between the stages. Stage 12 of the 2012 Vuelta a España was contested on 30 August, and the race concluded with Stage 21 on 9 September. The second half of the race was situated entirely within Spain; starting with a medium mountain stage from Vilagarcía de Arousa to the Mirador de Ézaro in Dumbría, before four summit finishes and, ultimately, the customary race-concluding ride into Madrid. Having held the lead of the Vuelta since the fourth stage, Joaquim Rodríguez of KAT 2012 maintained his lead into the second half of the race. On the twelfth stage, Rodríguez achieved his second stage victory after out-lasting his rivals for the general classification on the steep climb to Mirador de Ézaro in Dumbría, putting another twelve seconds onto his lead over SAX 2012b rider Alberto Contador. After the breakaway succeeded the following day, Rodríguez achieved another stage victory on the fourteenth stage to the Puerto de Ancares, where the longer climbs started to come into force in the race as part of three summit finishes in three consecutive stages. Similar to the move at the Mirador de Ézaro, Rodríguez accelerated away from his closest competitor, Contador, extending his race lead to 22 seconds. The following day, all attacks were negated, as the breakaway succeeded again; Antonio Piedra took the first victory for CJR 2012 at a Vuelta a España, winning the stage by two minutes. Rodríguez and Contador remained together for most of the race's queen stage, the first finish at the Cuitu Negru; on gradients approaching 25% in places, Rodríguez gapped Contador by two seconds, with a four-second time bonus ultimately leaving the gap at twenty-eight seconds post-stage and into the second and final rest day of the race. Following the rest day, Contador turned the advantage around with a surprise attack around midway through the stage. He left his rivals for the overall behind, and soloed to the stage victory. Rodríguez struggled during the stage, being dropped by another one of the race contenders, Alejandro Valverde (MOV 2012), and fell to third in the overall standings behind Contador and Valverde. Contador maintained the lead of the race until the end, eventually winning the race for a second time by 1' 16" over Valverde. Rodríguez was third, a further 21 seconds behind, with no other rider within ten minutes of Contador at the end of the race. Valverde took final-day victories in the points and combination sub-classifications, with Rodríguez losing the points competition in Madrid for the second year running after losing out to Bauke Mollema in 2011. LegendJerseys appearing in the table on the left of the page indicate those worn by the cyclist during the particular stage, while those appearing in the table on the right of the page indicate those awarded to the cyclist after the stage.   20px|alt=A red jersey   Denotes the leader of the General classification   20px|alt=A bluedotted jersey   Denotes the leader of the Mountains classification   20px|alt=A green jersey   Denotes the leader of the Points classification   20px|alt=A white jersey   Denotes the leader of the Combination classification   20px|alt=A jersey with a white rider number on a red background   Denotes the rider designated as the day's most combative s.t. A rider that crossed the finish line in the same group as the one receiving the time above him and was therefore credited with the same finishing time. Stage 12 30 August 2012 — Vilagarcía de Arousa to Mirador de Ézaro, 190.5 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=12 Vilagarcía de Arousa – Mirador de Ézaro Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120824000725/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=12 2012-08-24 dead The second half of the race commenced with a rolling stage starting in the Province of Pontevedra at Vilagarcía de Arousa, before it made its way into the Province of A Coruña and an ultimate summit finish at the Mirador de Ézaro. Despite not being the highest point of the stage, the Mirador de Ézaro provided a stern test for the remaining members of the peloton, as the average gradient of the 1.9 km 1 on long climb was over 13%, with certain sections of the climb reaching 20%, or higher.http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/08/race-report/rodriguez-attacks-to-vuelta-stage-12-win-in-red_236855 Rodriguez attacks to Vuelta stage 12 win in red VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 30 August 2012 31 August 2012 Agence France-Presse 1 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120901220944/http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/08/race-report/rodriguez-attacks-to-vuelta-stage-12-win-in-red_236855 dead As a result of the short and steep climb, Joaquim Rodríguez,http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-12/results Rodriguez wins on Mirador de Ézaro Daniel Benson Cycling News 30 August 2012 31 August 2012 the race leader for KAT 2012, was considered as the main favourite for the stage – along with ninth stage winner Philippe Gilbert (BMC 2012)http://inrng.com/2012/08/vuelta-stage-12-preview/ The Spin: Vuelta Stage 12 The Inner Ring WordPress 30 August 2012 31 August 2012 – as he looked to restore some part of a race-leading margin nearly wiped out during the previous day's time trial. Mini-attacks set the course of the early running of the stage, with the field remaining as a whole for most of the first two hours of racing after several attacks were closed down within minutes. It was not until the 75 km 1 on mark that an attack was allowed to gain substantial ground off the front of the main field. Four riders – Cameron Meyer of OGE 2012b, EUS 2012's Mikel Astarloza, BMC 2012 rider Amaël Moinard and Kevin De Weert, representing the OPQ 2012 teamhttp://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12761/Vuelta-a-Espana-Rodriguez-scoops-second-stage-win-with-powerful-finishing-surge.aspx Rodriguez scoops second stage win with powerful finishing surge Shane Stokes VeloNation VeloNation LLC 30 August 2012 31 August 2012 – were allowed to freedom to create a lead of over seven minutes during the stage, but were gradually brought back and despite the chasing by the peloton, the lead quartet still held a lead of around half a minute at the bottom of the Mirador de Ézaro. Despite an attack by Astarloza's team-mate Igor Antón, KAT 2012 yes were able to set Rodríguez up for his second stage victory of the race,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rodriguez-drops-contador-on-vuelta-stage-12 Rodríguez drops Contador on Vuelta stage 12 Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 30 August 2012 31 August 2012 with Alberto Contador (SAX 2012b) coming across the line eight seconds behind, having been the last rider to have been dropped by Rodríguez,http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/08/news/how-far-can-purito-go_236968 Andrew Hood How far can Purito go? VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 30 August 2012 31 August 2012 On Thursday, Rodríguez dropped Contador with 200 meters to go to win by eight seconds, take the first-place time bonus and widen his grip on the leader’s jersey over Contador to 13 seconds. 1 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120901220613/http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/08/news/how-far-can-purito-go_236968 deadhttp://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rodriguez-wins-stage-11-extend-lead-153346121.html Felix Lowe Rodriguez wins stage 12 to extend lead Yahoo! Eurosport TF1 Group 30 August 2012 31 August 2012 to limit his deficit to thirteen seconds after time bonuses had been applied. Stage 12 result RiderTeamTime 1 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px KAT 2012 4h 24' 32" 2 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b + 8" 3 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px MOV 2012 + 13" 4 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 20" 5 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 23" 6 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 23" 7 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 27" 8 Nicolas Roche IRL ALM 2012 + 31" 9 Przemysław Niemiec POL LAM 2012 + 33" 10 Gorka Verdugo ESP EUS 2012 + 36"General classification after stage 12 RiderTeamTime 1 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px20px KAT 2012 44h 50' 35" 2 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b + 13" 3 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 51" 4 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px MOV 2012 + 1' 20" 5 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 2' 59" 6 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 3' 29" 7 Nicolas Roche IRL ALM 2012 + 4' 22" 8 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 5' 17" 9 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 5' 18" 10 Bauke Mollema NED RAB 2012 + 6' 01" Stage 13 31 August 2012 — Santiago de Compostela to Ferrol, 172.8 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=13 Santiago de Compostela – Ferrol Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120829215427/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=13 2012-08-29 dead Despite its 172.8 km 1 on parcours being lumpy and undulating, the thirteenth stage was categorised as a stage for one of the sprinters to achieve a victory on, and potentially their last chance of a stage win until the following week as up until the rest day, the following three stages would all have summit finishes.http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-13 Stage 13 preview Cycling News 14 August 2012 1 September 2012 4 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120904034045/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-13 dead There were two intermediate sprint points during the stages, offering points to the points classification and bonus seconds towards the general classification, coming in A Laracha at 72.5 km 1 on, and in Catabois 5 km 1 on from the finish in Ferrol. Ferrol was hosting the race for the first time since 1993,http://inrng.com/2012/08/vuelta-stage-13-preview/ The Spin: Vuelta Stage 13 The Inner Ring WordPress 31 August 2012 1 September 2012 when Djamolidine Abdoujaparov won the penultimate stage of that year's race. Much like the previous day's stage, mini-attacks set the course of the early running, with the field remaining as a whole for most of the first hour of racing after several attacks were closed down within minutes. However, just after the 40 km 1 on mark,http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-13/results Cummings solos to victory in Ferrol Barry Ryan Cycling News 31 August 2012 1 September 2012 a group did form and was allowed to make a gap off the front of the field. Seven riders representing six teams – OGE 2012b were the only squad to have two riders in the grouphttp://www.greenedgecycling.com/news/three-in-vuelta-a-espana-stage-13-top-ten Three in Vuelta a España - Stage 13 Top-Ten OGE 2012b GreenEDGE Cycling 31 August 2012 1 September 2012 6 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120906234533/http://www.greenedgecycling.com/news/three-in-vuelta-a-espana-stage-13-top-ten dead – and achieved a lead of four minutes during the stage,http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12767/Vuelta-a-Espana-Steve-Cummings-wins-the-pursuit-into-Ferrol.aspx Steve Cummings wins the pursuit into Ferrol Kyle Moore VeloNation VeloNation LLC 31 August 2012 1 September 2012 with the peloton unwilling to let the advantage to anything larger. The gap was brought down at a quicker pace than normal, with ARG 2012b and LTB 2012 willing to bring it back for their sprinters John Degenkolb and Gianni Meersman respectively. However, the peloton never caught the breakaway during the stage, and after several moves with 5 km 1 on to go, BMC 2012's Steve Cummings made a solo bid for victory with 4 km 1 on remaining, and remained clear until the end to take his first Grand Tour stage win,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cummings-puts-injuries-behind-him-for-biggest-career-win Cummings puts injuries behind him for biggest career win Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 31 August 2012 1 September 2012 and his first victory for the team. OGE 2012b yes's Cameron Meyer bested Juan Antonio Flecha (SKY 2012) for second place, four seconds behind Cummings, with the peloton led home by Degenkolb finished forty seconds behind Cummings.http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/cummings-holds-victory-stage-13-154141483.html Cummings holds on for victory in stage 13 Felix Lowe Yahoo! Eurosport TF1 Group 31 August 2012 1 September 2012 Stage 13 result RiderTeamTime 1 Steve Cummings GBR BMC 2012 4h 05' 02" 2 Cameron Meyer AUS OGE 2012b + 4" 3 Juan Antonio Flecha ESP SKY 2012 + 4" 4 Simon Clarke AUS OGE 2012b + 14" 5 Linus Gerdemann GER RNT 2012 + 14" 6 Thomas De Gendt BEL VCD 2012 + 14" 7 John Degenkolb GER ARG 2012b + 40" 8 Allan Davis AUS OGE 2012b + 40" 9 Ben Swift GBR SKY 2012 + 40" 10 Lloyd Mondory FRA ALM 2012 + 40"General classification after stage 13 RiderTeamTime 1 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px20px KAT 2012 48h 56' 17" 2 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b + 13" 3 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 51" 4 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px MOV 2012 + 1' 20" 5 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 2' 59" 6 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 3' 29" 7 Nicolas Roche IRL ALM 2012 + 4' 22" 8 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 5' 17" 9 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 5' 18" 10 Bauke Mollema NED RAB 2012 + 6' 01" Stage 14 1 September 2012 — Palas de Rei to Puerto de Ancares, 149.2 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=14 Palas de Rei – Puerto de Ancares Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120902001619/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=14 2012-09-02 dead The race returned to the mountains for the first of three consecutive summit finishes, that were expected to alter the general classification standings. Instead of the short, punchy climbs that had featured in the race prior to the fourteenth stage, longer climbs were included in the stage's 149.2 km 1 on itinerary. There were five categorised climbs,https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/19451605 Chris Froome fifth as Joaquin Rodriguez wins again in Spain BBC Sport BBC 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 with the steeper climbs coming towards the end of the stage; inside the final 35 km 1 on of the stage were two first-category ascents of the Alto Folgueiras de Aigas – averaging 6.7% for its 9.7 km 1 on length – and the final 9.5 km 1 on climb of the Puerto de Ancares which averaged 8.1%, but reaching almost 13% in places,http://inrng.com/2012/09/vuelta-stage-14-preview/ The Spin: Vuelta Stage 14 The Inner Ring WordPress 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 en route to the summit at 1470 m on above sea level.http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/534589/rodriguez-stakes-his-claim-with-vuelta-mountain-top-win.html Rodriguez stakes his claim with Vuelta mountain-top win Kenny Pryde Cycling Weekly 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 The climb also contained a downhill section of around a kilometre in length, just after halfway up the climb. A four-rider move initially got clear in the opening kilometres of the stage, but they were brought back before 20 km 1 on of the parcours had been completed. After that, a larger group consisting of sixteen riders, including the four-time defending mountains classification winner David Moncoutié (COF 2012) and fourth stage winner Simon Clarke of OGE 2012b advanced forward.http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-14/results Rodriguez beats Contador in Ancares Peter Cossins Cycling News 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 With members of their respective teams in the breakaway as well, Joaquim Rodríguez's KAT 2012 squad and the MOV 2012 of Alejandro Valverde, sat back in the peloton and allowed SAX 2012b and SKY 2012 to control the pace for their respective protected riders Alberto Contador and Chris Froome. The leaders held a lead of over three minutes at one point,http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12774/Vuelta-Devastating-surge-sees-Rodriguez-overhaul-Contador-for-another-stage-win.aspx Devastating surge sees Rodriguez overhaul Contador for another stage win Shane Stokes VeloNation VeloNation LLC 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 with the break splitting apart on the Alto Folgueiras de Aigas, and on the descent, Alberto Losada – Rodríguez's team-mate in the break – ventured off the front on his own. The peloton had reduced the gap to two minutes by this point, and were continuing to close the gap gradually as they reached the bottom of the final climb of the stage. SAX 2012b yes maintained station at the front of the peloton, with Contador being paced by three of his team-mates, and his rivals Rodríguez and Valverde were in close order to him. With the pace being accelerated, the peloton was being reduced in numbers, with only the race contenders remaining after a time. Froome cracked on the climb at one point, but managed to recover sufficiently to rejoin the leaders' group – having caught and passed Losada – before eventually falling off the back again, eventually losing 50 seconds, falling to 1' 41 behind,http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/explosive-vuelta-proves-frustrating-for-chris-froome_237188 Andrew Hood Explosive Vuelta proves frustrating for Chris Froome VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 after time bonuses were applied. Contador launched an attack with 1.9 km 1 on to go,http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/joaquim-rodriguez-is-proving-a-complex-exasperating-rival-to-alberto-contador_237180 Andrew Hood Joaquim Rodriguez is proving a complex, exasperating rival to Alberto Contador VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 3 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120903231508/http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/joaquim-rodriguez-is-proving-a-complex-exasperating-rival-to-alberto-contador_237180 dead and nobody followed immediately; however, Rodríguez eventually set off in pursuit of Contador, catching him with around a kilometre remaining. Contador made one last bid for victory, but Rodríguez had enough to combat the move, and eventually accelerated away from him and won his third stage of the race,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rodriguez-takes-vuelta-battle-to-high-mountains Rodríguez takes Vuelta battle to high mountains Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 gapping Contador by five seconds,http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/red-hot-rodriguez-extends-lead-third-win-155133624.html Red-hot Rodriguez extends lead with third win Felix Lowe Yahoo! Eurosport TF1 Group Reuters 1 September 2012 1 September 2012 and added nine seconds to his overall lead. Stage 14 result RiderTeamTime 1 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px KAT 2012 4h 10' 28" 2 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b + 5" 3 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px MOV 2012 + 13" 4 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 35" 5 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 38" 6 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 44" 7 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 56" 8 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 1' 04" 9 Tomasz Marczyński POL VCD 2012 + 1' 13" 10 Nicolas Roche IRL ALM 2012 + 1' 17"General classification after stage 14 RiderTeamTime 1 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px20px KAT 2012 53h 06' 33" 2 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b + 22" 3 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 1' 41" 4 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 1' 41" 5 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 4' 16" 6 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 5' 07" 7 Nicolas Roche IRL ALM 2012 + 5' 51" 8 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 6' 13" 9 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 6' 34" 10 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 7' 16" Stage 15 2 September 2012 — La Robla to Lagos de Covadonga, 186.5 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=15 La Robla – Lagos de Covadonga Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120905064328/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=15 2012-09-05 dead For the second of the three consecutive summit finishes, the riders had to negotiate two categorised climbs – as well as the unclassified Puerto de Pajares – before the final 13.5 km 1 on climb,http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/534591/rodriguez-rules-at-covadonga-as-froome-loses-time-in-vuelta.html Rodriguez rules at Covadonga as Froome loses time in Vuelta Kenny Pryde Cycling Weekly 2 September 2012 3 September 2012 categorised as a climb of "Categoria Especial", to Lagos de Covadonga. Although the final climb was less steep in gradient compared to the climb before it, the Alto del Mirador del Fito – 7% compared to the latter's 8.3%http://inrng.com/2012/09/vuelta-stage-15/ The Spin: Vuelta Stage 15 The Inner Ring WordPress 2 September 2012 3 September 2012 – it reached 15% in places. As well as that, there were two sections of downhill – each of around 1 km 1 on in length – in the final 3 km 1 on of the climb, before ramping up again for the finish. In the early kilometres of the stage, a group of nineteen riders formed the early hallmarks of a breakaway group,http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-15/results Piedra wins Vuelta a Espana stage from day long breakaway Susan Westemeyer Cycling News 2 September 2012 3 September 2012 before it was eventually established with ten riders in the group,http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12777/Vuelta-a-Espana-Antonio-Piedra-makes-the-season-for-Caja-Rural.aspx Antonio Piedra makes the season for Caja Rural Kyle Moore VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2 September 2012 3 September 2012 as the peloton negotiated the windy conditions of the stage. The lead group quickly built a lead then continually went up as the stage wore on, eventually reaching a maximum of around fifteen minutes on the Alto del Mirador del Fito; despite this lead, none of the ten riders were going to make any impact on the general classification as the best-placed rider in the group – Andrey Kashechkin of the AST 2012 team – was over 22 minutes down on the leader Joaquim Rodríguez of KAT 2012. Kashechkin tried to launch the first attack on the climb to Covadonga, but was brought back by MOV 2012's Pablo Lastras; a second move by CJR 2012 rider Antonio Piedra was more successful, and he continually pulled away from his breakaway companions, eventually winning the stage – his team's first at the Vueltahttp://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/piedra-wins-rodriguez-stays-red-155647691.html Piedra wins, Rodriguez keeps red after Vuelta stage 15 Felix Lowe Yahoo! Eurosport TF1 Group 2 September 2012 3 September 2012 – by over two minutes. The remainder of the lead ten came to the line in individual groups, while the race leaders Rodríguez, Alberto Contador of SAX 2012b and Lastras' team-mate Alejandro Valverde were over nine minutes in arrears. Valverde moved up to third overall,http://www1.skysports.com/cycling/news/20876/8045222/Froome-falls-to-fourth Froome falls to fourth Sky Sports BSkyB 2 September 2012 3 September 2012 as SKY 2012's Chris Froome lost 35 seconds to the lead trio.http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12780/Chris-Froome-loses-podium-spot-on-tough-climb-to-Lagos-de-Covadonga.aspx Chris Froome loses podium spot on "tough climb" to Lagos de Covadonga Ben Atkins VeloNation VeloNation LLC 2 September 2012 3 September 2012 Stage 15 result RiderTeamTime 1 Antonio Piedra ESP CJR 2012 5h 01' 23" 2 Rubén Pérez ESP EUS 2012 + 2' 02" 3 Lloyd Mondory FRA ALM 2012 + 2' 02" 4 David de la Fuente ESP CJR 2012 + 2' 02" 5 Pablo Lastras ESP MOV 2012 + 2' 07" 6 Simon Geschke GER ARG 2012b + 2' 12" 7 Kevin Seeldraeyers BEL AST 2012 + 2' 25" 8 Andrey Kashechkin KAZ AST 2012 + 3' 35" 9 Vicente Reynès ESP LTB 2012 + 3' 49" 10 Sergey Lagutin UZB VCD 2012 + 6' 45"General classification after stage 15 RiderTeamTime 1 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px20px KAT 2012 58h 17' 21" 2 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b + 22" 3 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 1' 41" 4 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 2' 16" 5 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 4' 51" 6 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 5' 42" 7 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 6' 48" 8 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 7' 17" 9 Nicolas Roche IRL ALM 2012 + 7' 21" 10 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 7' 39" Stage 16 3 September 2012 — Gijón to Valgrande-Pajares–Cuitu Negru, 183.5 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=16 Gijón – Valgrande-Pajares. Cuitu Negru Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120904223748/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=16 2012-09-04 dead The last stage before the second and final rest day of the race, the sixteenth stage of the race was set up as the toughest day of climbing in the entire race, and as a result, was deemed the queen stage of the race.http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,26887_8049131,00.html Froome hangs tough SKY 2012 BSkyB 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 7 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120907085236/http://www.teamsky.com/article/0,27290,26887_8049131,00.html deadhttp://www.espn.co.uk/cycling/sport/story/168368.html Rodriguez gains as Cataldo takes queen stage ESPN UK 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 During its 183.5 km 1 on parcours, there were three categorised climbs and a fourth, to the finish, at Cuitu Negru; the climbs got harder as the stage wore on, with a third-category ascent of the Alto de la Cabruñana first, followed by the first-category climbs of the Puerto de San Lorenzo (8.5% gradient) and the Alto de la Cobertoria, a climb with an average gradient of 8.6%. The climb to Valgrande-Pajares and beyond to Cuitu Negru – a "Categoria Especial" climb just like the previous day's finish at Lagos de Covadonga – averaged 6.9% over its 19.4 km 1 on,http://inrng.com/2012/09/vuelta-stage-16-preview/ The Spin: Vuelta Stage 16 preview The Inner Ring WordPress 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 but was much steeper in the final few kilometres, reaching almost 25% in places.http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/cataldo-wins-stage-16-rodriguez-extends-lead-155258740.html Cataldo wins stage 16 as Rodriguez extends lead Felix Lowe Yahoo! Eurosport TF1 Group 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 Unlike previous years, the stage finished on a newly repaved section of road,http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/534610/rodriguez-strengthens-vuelta-lead-as-froome-keeps-hold-of-fourth.html Rodriguez strengthens Vuelta lead as Froome keeps hold of fourth Andy McGrath Cycling Weekly 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 just for the race, rather than finishing in Valgrande-Pajares.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cuitu-negru-the-climb-to-end-all-climbs Cuitu Negru - the climb to end all climbs Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 Mini-attacks set the course of the early running of the stage, with the field remaining as a whole for most of the first hour of racing after several attacks were closed down within minutes.http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-16/results Epic win for Cataldo on Cuitu Negru Peter Cossins Cycling News 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20111103152639/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-16/results 3 November 2011 It was not until the descent of the first climb of the day, the Alto de la Cabruñana, that an attacking move was allowed to be established; the riders that instigated it, were Thomas De Gendt of VCD 2012 – the winner of the queen stage at May's Giro d'Italia, at the Stelvio Passhttps://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/story/2012-05-26/giro-d-italia-stage-20/55218588/1 De Gendt wins penultimate Giro stage; Rodriguez retains lead USA Today Larry Kramer; Gannett Company Associated Press 26 May 2012 3 September 2012 – and OPQ 2012 rider Dario Cataldo. De Gendt and Cataldo quickly gained a substantial advantage over the rest of the field, picking up a lead of almost fourteen-and-a-half minutes while ascending the day's second climb at the Puerto de San Lorenzo.http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12787/Vuelta-a-Espana-Dario-Cataldo-takes-historic-Cuitunigru-victory-as-the-race-leaders-fight-behind-him.aspx Dario Cataldo takes historic Cuitunigru victory as the race leaders fight behind him Ben Atkins VeloNation VeloNation LLC 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 as the peloton negotiated the windy conditions of the stage. Behind, OGE 2012b's Simon Clarke kept a hold of his mountains classification lead, by accelerating out of the peloton to take the points on offer for third at the summit of the climb. The lead pairing reached the bottom of the final climb with a lead approaching eight minutes, with the peloton being led by EUS 2012, who were looking to protect Igor Antón on the climb. SAX 2012b injected some pace into the group, and managed to split the group apart with ease before Nairo Quintana took to the front for the MOV 2012. Alberto Contador (SAX 2012b yes) took up the pace from his team-mates and formed a group with Quintana, his team-mate Alejandro Valverde and the race leader Joaquim Rodríguez of KAT 2012. Contador and Rodríguez rode tactically up the climb,http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/purito-dishes-it-out-at-cuitu-negru_237423 Andrew Hood Purito dishes it out at Cuitu Negru VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 5 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120905045259/http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/purito-dishes-it-out-at-cuitu-negru_237423 dead and eventually managed to rid themselves of both Valverde and Quintana. However, their battles were only good enough for the places from third to sixth, as Cataldo and De Gendt stayed away from the field by over two-and-a-half minutes. Cataldo won the stage, as De Gendt ultimately cracked on the final climb, and gapped him by seven seconds to take his first Grand Tour stage win.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/cataldo-produces-masterpiece-at-vuelta-a-espana Cataldo produces masterpiece at Vuelta a España Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 Rodríguez extended his overall lead to 28 seconds over Contador,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rodriguez-a-really-big-step-forwards Rodríguez: a really big step forwards Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 3 September 2012 3 September 2012 after gaining the third-place time bonus at the finish. Stage 16 result RiderTeamTime 1 Dario Cataldo ITA OPQ 2012 5h 18' 28" 2 Thomas De Gendt BEL VCD 2012 + 7" 3 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px KAT 2012 + 2' 39" 4 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b + 2' 41" 5 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 2' 58" 6 Nairo Quintana COL MOV 2012 + 3' 24" 7 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 4' 07" 8 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 4' 15" 9 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 4' 18" 10 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 4' 21"General classification after stage 16 RiderTeamTime 1 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px20px KAT 2012 63h 38' 24" 2 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b + 28" 3 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 2' 04" 4 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 4' 52" 5 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 6' 58" 6 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 7' 28" 7 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 8' 28" 8 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 9' 00" 9 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 9' 11" 10 Nicolas Roche IRL ALM 2012 + 11' 44" Stage 17 5 September 2012 — Santander to Fuente Dé, 187.3 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=17 Santander – Fuente Dé Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120905171727/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=17 2012-09-05 dead The first stage after the second and final rest day, the seventeenth stage was the second last to have an uphill finish of some form; on this occasion, it was a 17.3 km 1 on long, second-category climb to Fuente Dé,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fuente-de-a-high-speed-vuelta-summit-finish Fuente Dé: A high-speed Vuelta summit finish? Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 but was not excessively steep at an average gradient of 3.9%. Prior to that, there were two other categorised climbs during the stage – both in the second half of the stage – with the third-category Collado de Ozalba and the second-category Collado La Hoz also on the itinerary for the stage, 187.3 km 1 on in length. The stage was ideally suited for rouleurs and not the overall contenders,http://inrng.com/2012/09/vuelta-stage-17-preview/ The Spin: Vuelta Stage 17 The Inner Ring WordPress 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 who would be looking at the penultimate-day stage to the summit finish at Bola del Mundo,http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/534638/contador-turns-vuelta-upside-down-with-stunning-stage-win.html Contador turns Vuelta upside-down with stunning stage win Richard Abraham Cycling Weekly 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 as their only remaining attempt to gain time before the finish the next day, in Madrid. Mini-attacks set the course of the early running of the stage, with the field remaining as a whole for most of the first two hours of racing after several attacks were closed down within minutes. At one point, the overall leaders were in two separate groups with Alberto Contador (SAX 2012b) and MOV 2012's Alejandro Valverde both in the group ahead of Joaquim Rodríguez before Rodríguez's KAT 2012 squad closed the gap.http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-17/results Contador solos to stage win, Vuelta lead Susan Westemeyer Cycling News 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120908010743/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-17/results 8 September 2012 Eleven riders representing eleven different teams eventually formed the day's breakaway after 80 km 1 on, with team-mates of both Contador and Valverde in the group.http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12800/Vuelta-a-Espana-Alberto-Contador-seizes-control-on-the-climb-to-Fuente-De.aspx Alberto Contador seizes control on the climb to Fuente Dé Ben Atkins VeloNation VeloNation LLC 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 Their lead never hit much more than three minutes, before splitting on the Collado de Ozalba, and FDJ 2012 rider Arnold Jeannesson moved up from the peloton to join the leaders. A chase group formed on the descent from the climb, with three of Contador's team-mates among them.http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/contador-solos-stage-17-win-red-jersey-101807040.html Contador solos to stage 17 win and Vuelta lead Felix Lowe Yahoo! Eurosport TF1 Group 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 With the gap at 1' 14" to the leaders at the foot of the Collado La Hoz, Contador attacked out of the peloton. Rodríguez and Valverde tried to chase him, but Contador made it up to the lead group before the top of the climb. His team-mates helped push the gap up on the roads, while Rodríguez was struggling to react to the pace and only had Alberto Losada for support in the chasing group.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rodriguez-admits-defeat-in-vuelta Rodriguez admits defeat in Vuelta Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 Contador attacked again just before the intermediate sprint point at Potes, and only his former team-mate Paolo Tiralongo (AST 2012) was able to follow him. They held a two-minute gap over their closest rivals; Rodríguez was dropped on the lower slopes of the climb, as he was unable to follow Valverde, while Contador had gone solo off the front with around 13.5 km 1 on remaining.http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/kamikaze-contador-blows-apart-vuelta_237654 Andrew Hood Kamikaze Contador blows apart Vuelta VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 27 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150427111346/http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/kamikaze-contador-blows-apart-vuelta_237654 dead With help from team-mates Nairo Quintana and Beñat Intxausti, Valverde cut the advantage to Contador on the climb, but could not catch him. Contador eventually took his first victory since returning from suspension,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contador-fights-back-tears-after-turning-vuelta-on-its-head Contador fights back tears after turning Vuelta on its head Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 5 September 2012 6 September 2012http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12803/Alberto-Contador-Fuente-De-victory-is-of-the-three-most-important-of-my-career.aspx Alberto Contador: Fuente Dé victory is "of the three most important of my career" Ben Atkins VeloNation VeloNation LLC 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 six seconds ahead of a group containing Valverde, Sergio Henao of SKY 2012 and EUS 2012's Gorka Verdugo. Rodríguez came across the line tenth, 2' 38" in arrears,http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12805/Joaquim-Rodriguez-disappointed-but-philosophical-over-lost-Vuelta-a-Espana-lea.aspx Joaquim Rodríguez disappointed but philosophical over lost Vuelta a España lead Ben Atkins VeloNation VeloNation LLC 5 September 2012 6 September 2012 dropping to third overall behind new leader Contador and Valverde, who moved up to second.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/valverde-gains-a-spot-with-late-attack-at-vuelta Valverde gains a spot with late attack at Vuelta Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 6 September 2012 6 September 2012 Stage 17 result RiderTeamTime 1 Alberto Contador ESP SAX 2012b 4h 29' 20" 2 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 6" 3 Sergio Henao COL SKY 2012 + 6" 4 Gorka Verdugo ESP EUS 2012 + 6" 5 Rinaldo Nocentini ITA ALM 2012 + 19" 6 Jan Bakelants BEL RNT 2012 + 55" 7 Beñat Intxausti ESP MOV 2012 + 1' 13" 8 Alexandre Geniez FRA ARG 2012b + 1' 40" 9 Paolo Tiralongo ITA AST 2012 + 2' 13" 10 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px KAT 2012 + 2' 38"General classification after stage 17 RiderTeamTime 1 Alberto Contador ESP 20px20px SAX 2012b 68h 07' 54" 2 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 1' 52" 3 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px KAT 2012 + 2' 28" 4 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 9' 40" 5 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 11' 36" 6 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 12' 06" 7 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 12' 55" 8 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 13' 06" 9 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 13' 49" 10 Beñat Intxausti ESP MOV 2012 + 14' 10" Stage 18 6 September 2012 — Aguilar de Campoo to Valladolid, 204.5 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=18 Aguilar de Campoo – Valladolid Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120907230622/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=18 2012-09-07 dead The longest stage of the 2012 Vuelta a España, at 204.5 km 1 on, was a relatively flat affair with no categorised climbs during the stage, meaning that OGE 2012b's Simon Clarke would keep a hold of the blue polka-dot jersey as the mountains classification leader. A finishing circuit of about 38 km 1 on in length around Valladolid was also utilised,http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12809/Vuelta-a-Espana-Daniele-Bennati-takes-stage-18-as-the-sprinters-get-their-chance.aspx Daniele Bennati takes stage 18 as the sprinters get their chance Ben Atkins VeloNation VeloNation LLC 6 September 2012 6 September 2012 with two intermediate sprint points – in Valladolid itself, just before the first passage through the finish line, and 6.5 km 1 on before the finish in Zaratán – before an expected sprint finish. Valladolid was hosting the Vuelta for the first time since the 2008 edition of the race,http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-18/results Bennati sprints to photo-finish victory in Valladolid Cycling News 6 September 2012 6 September 2012 when QST 2008 rider Wouter Weylandt won the seventeenth stage in a sprint finish.https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/sports/17iht-cyc17.16244944.html?_r=1 Weylandt takes 17th stage The New York Times 17 September 2008 6 September 2012 Unlike recent days, the breakaway was formed immediately after the start of the stage. COF 2012 rider Luis Ángel Maté, KAT 2012's Gatis Smukulis and Martijn Keizer of VCD 2012 attacked in the opening metres, and were later joined by Brent Bookwalter (BMC 2012) and ACG 2012's Gustavo César; none of the five riders were any threat in the general classification, as Maté was the best-placed of the quintet in 50th place overnight. They managed to achieve an advantage of over five minutes at one point during the stage, but they were all brought back inside of 20 km 1 on remaining in the stage. The field remained together until the finish, where SKY 2012 and LIQ 2012 were holding station on the front. British national champion Ian Stannard tried to lead it out for team-mate Ben Swift,http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/534656/bennati-pips-swift-to-vuelta-stage.html Bennati pips Swift to Vuelta stage Richard Abraham Cycling Weekly 6 September 2012 6 September 2012 but Daniele Bennati (RNT 2012) made up ground on Swift, and ultimately edged him out at the finish line by inches for his sixth Vuelta stage victory.https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/tour-of-spain-alberto-contador-retains-overall-lead-as-daniele-bennati-wins-stage-18-8113718.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/others/tour-of-spain-alberto-contador-retains-overall-lead-as-daniele-bennati-wins-stage-18-8113718.html 2022-05-01 subscription Alberto Contador retains overall lead as Daniele Bennati wins stage 18 Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham The Independent 6 September 2012 6 September 2012 Reuters Bennati later dedicated his first victory in almost a year to former team-mate Weylandt,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bennati-dedicates-vuelta-stage-win-to-wouter-weylandt Bennati dedicates Vuelta stage win to Wouter Weylandt Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 6 September 2012 6 September 2012 who was killed during the 2011 Giro d'Italia.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/weylandt-dies-in-giro-ditalia-crash Weylandt dies in Giro d'Italia crash Cycling News 9 May 2011 6 September 2012 Stage 18 result RiderTeamTime 1 Daniele Bennati ITA RNT 2012 4h 17' 17" 2 Ben Swift GBR SKY 2012 s.t. 3 Allan Davis AUS OGE 2012b s.t. 4 Lloyd Mondory FRA ALM 2012 s.t. 5 John Degenkolb GER ARG 2012b s.t. 6 Davide Viganò ITA LAM 2012 s.t. 7 Matti Breschel DEN RAB 2012 s.t. 8 Koen de Kort NED ARG 2012b s.t. 9 Mitchell Docker AUS OGE 2012b s.t. 10 Grégory Rast SUI RNT 2012 + 6"General classification after stage 18 RiderTeamTime 1 Alberto Contador ESP 20px SAX 2012b 72h 25' 21" 2 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 1' 52" 3 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px KAT 2012 + 2' 28" 4 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 9' 40" 5 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 11' 36" 6 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 12' 02" 7 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 12' 55" 8 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 13' 06" 9 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 13' 49" 10 Beñat Intxausti ESP MOV 2012 + 14' 10" Stage 19 7 September 2012 — Peñafiel to La Lastrilla, 178.4 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=19 Peñafiel – La Lastrilla Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120909165804/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=19 2012-09-09 dead Much like the previous day's stage, there were no categorised climbs during the day and although more undulating than the eighteenth stage, it was still expected to potentially bring about a sprint finish at the end; however, an uphill finish in La Lastrilla made it equally capable of producing a result that would favour some of the puncheurs in the race, like Philippe Gilbert (BMC 2012) or KAT 2012's former race leader Joaquim Rodríguez, or even a breakaway to succeed on a rare occasion.http://inrng.com/2012/09/vuelta-stage-preview/ The Spin: Vuelta Stage 19 The Inner Ring WordPress 7 September 2012 8 September 2012http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12820/Vuelta-a-Espana-Philippe-Gilbert-takes-second-stage-victory-on-complicated-finish-at-La-Lastrilla.aspx Philippe Gilbert takes second stage victory on complicated finish at La Lastrilla Ben Atkins VeloNation VeloNation LLC 7 September 2012 8 September 2012 Almost from the start, two of the wildcard teams had riders go out of the peloton and attack off the front, as ACG 2012's José Vicente Toribio and CJR 2012 rider Aitor Galdós initiated the breakaway,http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-19/results Gilbert gets second Vuelta stage win in La Lastrilla Cycling News 7 September 2012 8 September 2012 quickly mustering a healthy advantage. The duo's advantage went up at a rapid pace, reaching its maximum of over ten minutes less than a quarter into the stage. Several teams took up station on the front of the main field; some to bring back the gap for the sprinters, while others to set one up for their puncheurs. Rain started to fall at the halfway point of the stage, but the gap between the leaders and the pack continued to gradually fall until they were eventually caught with 28 km 1 on remaining. An accelerated pace by the MOV 2012 helped to split the peloton in Navas de Riofrío, with Valverde and Rodríguez both eventually taking bonus seconds at the intermediate sprint point in Hontoria. Several late-race attacks came and went, before Gilbert's stage-winning attack out of the peloton in the closing kilometre.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gilbert-storms-away-in-segovia-for-second-vuelta-win Gilbert storms away in Segovia for second Vuelta win Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 7 September 2012 8 September 2012 He held on to his second victory of the racehttp://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/race-report/gilbert-wins-stage-19-of-the-vuelta-contador-keeps-red_237780 Gilbert wins stage 19 of the Vuelta; Contador keeps red VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 7 September 2012 8 September 2012 12 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120912063451/http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/race-report/gilbert-wins-stage-19-of-the-vuelta-contador-keeps-red_237780 dead ahead of Valverde, Daniel Moreno (KAT 2012 yes) and Rodríguez. The rest of the field were led in three seconds laterhttp://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/534676/gilbert-claims-win-no-2-in-spain.html Gilbert claims win No.2 in Spain Cycling Weekly 7 September 2012 8 September 2012 by LTB 2012's Gianni Meersman; among the group was race leader Alberto Contador (SAX 2012b), who lost 17 seconds on the day to Valverde,http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/gilbert-takes-second-vuelta-win-stage-19-163608052.html Gilbert wins as Valverde shines on Vuelta Felix Lowe Yahoo! Eurosport TF1 Group 7 September 2012 8 September 2012 but remained 1' 35" clear overnight in the general classification. Stage 19 result RiderTeamTime 1 Philippe Gilbert BEL BMC 2012 4h 56' 25" 2 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 s.t. 3 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 s.t. 4 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px KAT 2012 s.t. 5 Gianni Meersman BEL LTB 2012 + 3" 6 Bauke Mollema NED RAB 2012 + 3" 7 Jan Bakelants BEL RNT 2012 + 3" 8 Ben Swift GBR SKY 2012 + 3" 9 Rinaldo Nocentini ITA ALM 2012 + 3" 10 Sergio Henao COL SKY 2012 + 3"General classification after stage 19 RiderTeamTime 1 Alberto Contador ESP 20px SAX 2012b 77h 21' 49" 2 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 1' 35" 3 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px KAT 2012 + 2' 21" 4 Chris Froome GBR SKY 2012 + 9' 48" 5 Daniel Moreno ESP KAT 2012 + 11' 29" 6 Robert Gesink NED RAB 2012 + 12' 00" 7 Laurens ten Dam NED RAB 2012 + 12' 58" 8 Andrew Talansky USA GRS 2012b + 13' 09" 9 Igor Antón ESP EUS 2012 + 13' 52" 10 Beñat Intxausti ESP MOV 2012 + 15' 13" Stage 20 8 September 2012 — La Faisanera Golf to Bola del Mundo, 170.7 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=20 La Faisanera Golf. – Bola del Mundo Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120909165809/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=20 2012-09-09 dead The penultimate stage of the Vuelta was seen as the final chance for the riders to take substantial amounts of time in the race, with the final stage being the customary ride into Madrid. The parcours of 170.7 km 1 on contained no fewer than five categorised climbs, all rated as a second-category climb or higher, with the summit finish – the tenth of the racehttp://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/alberto-contador-clings-to-red-with-one-stage-left-in-a-nail-biter-of-a-vuelta-a-espana_237895 Andrew Hood Alberto Contador clings to red with one stage left in a nail-biter of a Vuelta a Espana VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 8 September 2012 8 September 2012 12 September 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120912034859/http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/alberto-contador-clings-to-red-with-one-stage-left-in-a-nail-biter-of-a-vuelta-a-espana_237895 dead – to Bola del Mundo being the highest-categorised of the five, as a "Categoria Especial"; the Bola del Mundo was also the highest point of the race, with the stage winner receiving the Cima Alberto Fernández award.http://banners.lavuelta.com/12/reglamento_ingles.pdf PDF Specific Regulations, Awards & Technical – Sports Regulation Handbook Vuelta a España Unipublic 8 September 2012 315 https://web.archive.org/web/20120831162902/http://banners.lavuelta.com/12/reglamento_ingles.pdf 2012-08-31 dead The peloton climbed up to a height of 2247 m above sea level,http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/showdown-on-the-bola-del-mundo Showdown on the Bola del Mundo Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 8 September 2012 8 September 2012 via an 11.4 km 1 on long climb at an average gradient of 8.6%.http://inrng.com/2012/09/vuelta-stage-20-preview/ The Spin: Vuelta Stage 20 The Inner Ring WordPress 8 September 2012 8 September 2012 The Bola decided the race for overall honours on its previous appearance in the race – in 2010 – as Vincenzo Nibali shadowed Ezequiel Mosquera up the climb,http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/09/news/vincenzo-nibali-ezequiel-mosquera-battle-to-a-draw-atop-bola-del-mundo-in-2010-vueltas-final-mountain-stage_141124 Vincenzo Nibali, Ezequiel Mosquera battle to a draw atop Bola del Mundo in 2010 Vuelta’s final mountain stage VeloNews Competitor Group, Inc. 18 September 2010 8 September 2012 11 January 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120111042010/http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/09/news/vincenzo-nibali-ezequiel-mosquera-battle-to-a-draw-atop-bola-del-mundo-in-2010-vueltas-final-mountain-stage_141124 dead therefore winning the race by 41 seconds from Mosquera; Mosquera was later stripped of his results in late 2011.http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTU3Mjg&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NjY5MTE&LangId=1 Sanctions, Period of Ineligibility, Disqualification UCI.ch Union Cycliste Internationale 8 September 2012 3 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131102134214/http://www.uci.ch/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTU3Mjg&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NjY5MTE&LangId=1 2 November 2013 A group of twenty riders formed the day's breakaway,http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-20/results Menchov prevails on the Bola del Mundo Cycling News 8 September 2012 8 September 2012 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20120910091958/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-20/results 10 September 2012 representing sixteen teams with ALM 2012, KAT 2012, AST 2012 and OPQ 2012 the only squads to have multiple representation in the group. Also among the group was the leader of the mountains classification, Simon Clarke (OGE 2012b), who was looking to all but guarantee winning the blue polka-dot jersey.http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/12825/Vuelta-a-Espana-Alberto-Contador-clings-on-to-confirm-overall-victory-on-the-Bola-del-Mundo.aspx Alberto Contador clings on to confirm overall victory on the Bola del Mundo Ben Atkins VeloNation VeloNation LLC 8 September 2012 8 September 2012 Indeed, Clarke took maximum points at the first three climbs during the stage, as the breakaway held a lead of around eight minutes – having reached a maximum of over ten minutes at one point – over the main field. The leaders remained five minutes clear of the peloton as they hit the Bola del Mundo, with the pack being led by EUS 2012, who had Romain Sicard in the lead group. The lead group started to splinter on the climb itself, with six riders going clear in the early stages, before three riders – SKY 2012's Richie Porte, OPQ 2012 yes rider Kevin De Weert and former Vuelta overall winner Denis Menchov of KAT 2012 yes – established themselves with the accelerated pace. In the peloton, EUS 2012 yes's Igor Antón initially attacked without chase, before Alejandro Valverde (MOV 2012) forced an attack on his rivals, trying to get clear before he was closed down. De Weert was dropped by his two lead companions, while the overall leaders had managed to break out into a group of their own with Valverde, Alberto Contador (SAX 2012b) and Joaquim Rodríguez being paced by Rodríguez's KAT 2012 yes's team-mate Daniel Moreno. Their team-mate Menchov won the stage – KAT 2012 yes's fourth of the racehttp://www.cyclingnews.com/news/menchov-clinches-katushas-fourth-stage-win-of-vuelta Menchov clinches Katusha's fourth stage win of Vuelta Alasdair Fotheringham Alasdair Fotheringham Cycling News 8 September 2012 8 September 2012 – as he dropped Porte in the closing metres; six other members of the breakaway also crossed the line before the race contenders. Rodríguez was ninth on the stage, taking 25 seconds on Valverde – who was tenth – and he claimed back 44 seconds on Contador, who finished twelfth. In the general classification, Contador maintained his race lead, by a reduced margin of 1' 16", over Valverde, with Rodríguez another 21 seconds in arrears. Stage 20 result RiderTeamTime 1 Denis Menchov RUS KAT 2012 4h 48' 48" 2 Richie Porte AUS SKY 2012 + 17" 3 Kevin De Weert BEL OPQ 2012 + 42" 4 Fredrik Kessiakoff SWE AST 2012 + 1' 16" 5 Romain Sicard FRA EUS 2012 + 1' 39" 6 Eros Capecchi ITA LIQ 2012 + 2' 30" 7 Maxime Bouet FRA ALM 2012 + 2' 39" 8 Simon Geschke GER ARG 2012b + 3' 14" 9 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px KAT 2012 + 3' 31" 10 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 3' 56"General classification after stage 20 RiderTeamTime 1 Alberto Contador ESP 20px SAX 2012b 82h 14' 52" 2 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 + 1' 16" 3 Joaquim Rodríguez ESP 20px20px 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" Stage 21 9 September 2012 — Cercedilla to Madrid, 115 km 1 onhttp://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=21 Cercedilla – Madrid Vuelta a España Unipublic 17 August 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120911004935/http://www.lavuelta.com/12/es/recorrido/index.html?e=21 2012-09-11 dead The Vuelta concluded with the now-customary stage finish in the centre of Madrid. The stage had an easy start – with a long and gradual descent from the start town of Cercedilla – before ten high-speed laps of a 5.7 km 1 on circuit, followed by the sprint finish.Vuelta a España: Stage 21 preview http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-21 Cycling News 14 August 2012 9 September 2012August 2026 InternetArchiveBot In keeping with tradition, the final stage began at a slow pace, and was a largely ceremonial procession on the run into Madrid. Shortly after the riders reached the circuit in the centre of the city, an intermediate sprint was held at the first passage through the line; David Moncoutié of COF 2012 and RAB 2012's Grischa Niermann were allowed to pass through before the main field, as a gesture, ahead of their respective retirements from the professional peloton.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 After that, the main break was initiated by six riders on the opening lap of the Madrid circuit. The group – consisting of ACG 2012 pairing Sergio Carrasco and Javier Chacón, AST 2012's Kevin Seeldraeyers, Javier Aramendia of CJR 2012, Mikel Astarloza (EUS 2012) and Sergey Lagutin for VCD 2012 – were never allowed to gain more than half a minute in their exploits and were eventually caught with around 6 km 1 on remaining.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 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130102215145/http://www.cyclingnews.com/vuelta-a-espana/stage-21/results 2 January 2013 Lagutin was the last to be caught, just as the peloton started their final lap. SKY 2012 took up affairs on the front of the peloton, looking to get their sprinter Ben Swift a victory in the race but it was ARG 2012b who set up their sprinter with the best run to the finish line. Having fended off the advances of Italian pairing Elia Viviani (LIQ 2012) and Daniele Bennati (RNT 2012), it was John Degenkolb that took his fifth stage victory of the race.Contador wins 2012 Vuelta a Espana overall http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/534685/contador-wins-2012-vuelta-a-espana-overall.html Kenny Pryde Cycling Weekly 9 September 2012 9 September 2012 Further behind, SAX 2012b's Alberto Contador finished within the peloton to take his second Vuelta overall title,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 while Simon Clarke (OGE 2012b) also confirmed his victory in the mountains classification. For the second year running, Joaquim Rodríguez (KAT 2012) lost the victory in the points classification on the final day, as a sixth place stage finish for MOV 2012's Alejandro Valverde allowed Valverde to overhaul Rodríguez's points tally by six. As a consequence of this, Valverde also claimed the combination classification on a tie-break, due to his second place overall finish to Rodríguez's third. Stage 21 result RiderTeamTime 1 John Degenkolb GER ARG 2012b 2h 44' 57" 2 Elia Viviani ITA LIQ 2012 s.t. 3 Daniele Bennati ITA RNT 2012 s.t. 4 Allan Davis AUS OGE 2012b s.t. 5 Koldo Fernández ESP GRS 2012b s.t. 6 Alejandro Valverde ESP MOV 2012 s.t. 7 Gert Steegmans BEL OPQ 2012 s.t. 8 Zdeněk Štybar CZE OPQ 2012 s.t. 9 Raymond Kreder NED GRS 2012b s.t. 10 Gorka Verdugo ESP EUS 2012 s.t.Final General Classification RiderTeamTime 1 Alberto Contador ESP 20px SAX 2012b 84h 59' 49" 2 Alejandro Valverde ESP 20px20px 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" Notes N References 30em 2012 Vuelta a España 1 11 12 21 12 Category:Vuelta a España stages