Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi) won the second stage of the Vuelta a Burgos between Burgos and Miranda del Ebro, giving the orange team a 100% record at the race so far. The Olympic champion outsprinted Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Caisse d’Epargne) at the top of the steep 3rd category climb to the finish; Kristof Vandewalle (Topsport Vlaanderen) finished third, 4 seconds later.
"A second victory and a second race leadership to the team in the tour [after Koldo Fernandez’ win on stage 1], I think is a great prize which has been achieved," said Sanchez after the stage. “The main objective of winning a stage has already been achieved, so I am satisfied. Finishing the Tour de France gives you this form, but the accumulated fatigue is also important. After his showing in the first stage, I knew that Gutierrez’ wheel could be good, so when he moved I went with him.
“The team time trial tomorrow and the finish at Lagunas de Neila are two key days, in theory,” he added, “but this has already been a good story. We will enjoy the two triumphs, rarely doubles of this style are achieved so we must value it and enjoy it".
The 165km stage was dominated by a breakaway from José Vicente Toribio (Andalucia-Cajasur) and Beñat Urain (Orbea), who escaped after 17km. The duo’s lead reached a maximum of 5’09” after 49km but the Euskaltel-Euskadi team took control of the peloton and began to steadily reduce the deficit; after 100km the lead was cut to 3’17”.
As Toribio led Urain over the top of the 2nd category Alto del Portillo del Busto, after 105km, the pair led by 3’20”; by the time they crossed the Meta Volante sprint after 117km though, it was just 2’22”, and they were caught after 152km.
The peloton maintained its high pace on the approach to the final climb and no further breakaways were possible. As soon as it hit the steep slopes though, David Lopez (Caisse d’Epargne) tried to get away. He was caught almost immediately, but tried again with 1km to go and this time looked as though he had made the decisive move.
In the final few hundred metres Lopez faded and was overtaken by Sanchez and Gutierrez, then by Vandewalle and Giampaolo Caruso (Katusha). The Olympic champion came past Gutierrez in the final few metres to take the victory and the purple race leader’s jersey.
Result stage 2
1. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
2. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne
3. Kristof Vandewalle (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator @ 4s
4. Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Team Katusha @ 6s
5. David Lopez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne @ 9s
6. Morris Possoni (Ita) Team Sky
7. Oliver Zaugg (Swi) Liquigas-Doimo
8. David Garcia (Spa) Xacobeo-Galicia @ 16s
9. Ezequiel Mosquera (Spa) Xacobeo-Galicia
10. Andrea Noe (Ita) Ceramica Flaminia
Standings after stage 2
1. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
2. Jose Ivan Gutierrez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne
3. Kristof Vandewalle (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator @ 4s
4. Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Team Katusha @ 6s
5. David Lopez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne @ 9s