The 2010 world number one Joaquim Rodriguez picked up his first win of the season today when he outsprinted three others to take the opening stage of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco in Sumarraga. The Catalan rider beat a fast-finishing Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Andreas Klöden and Chris Horner (both Team RadioShack) at the end of the tough 151.2 kilometre stage, gaining time over the other contenders in the race.
The quartet powered clear of the other contenders on the steep final climb of the day, the Alto de la Antigua, then plunged down the descent to the finish. Horner rode much of the final two kilometres on the front, trying to set up Klöden, but Rodriguez jumped first in the sprint, leading the riders into the final right hand corner, then held off Sanchez to nab the win.
They hit the line six seconds clear of fifth-placed Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Cervélo), who led in a group containing Damiano Cunego (Lampre-ISD), Robert Gesink (Rabobank), Danilo Di Luca (Katusha) and Xavier Tondo (Movistar). Other contenders were at least 18 seconds back, including Alexandre Vinkourov (Astana) and the Schleck brothers (Leopard Trek). Marco Pinotti (HTC Highroad) and Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo) dropped 54 seconds after a stall near the summit of the final ramp made them run the final metres to the top.
Rodriguez was delighted to put some tough times behind him. “I was so happy with this victory,” he said. “So much so that when I reached the finishing line, I almost cried for joy.
“In the first part of my season I had some health troubles (a cyst in the head of his thighbone – ed.) and I had some more difficulties in finding the right push on the pedal. Now, I hope I have left all these troubles behind and I will be able to work and train in the best way for my next goals.”
Because of those issues, his season thus far has been a contract to last year. Then, by this point in time, he’d already won the Volta a Catalunya and the GP Miguel Indurain, so he’s now playing catch-up relative to that.
“I admit I was very nervous because until now in 2011, I had never been able to be amongst the best riders in every race I took part in,” he stated. “But I have to thank all the team, from Tchmil downwards, for always having told me to stay quiet because our principal goal this year will be Giro d´Italia: so there still was plenty of time. Instead, I needed an indication from myself and that’s the reason why I told to my team-mates that, if we all were part of the group at the Alto de la Antigua, I could try to attack. I have to say that everything was perfect and now I feel calmer and more confident for the rest of the season.”
Today’s opening stage began in the same town as the finish, Sumarraga, and covered seven categorised climbs. These were split 5-2 between category three and category two ascents, though, rather than anything tougher. As a result, it was more a day for explosive riders rather than pure climbers.
The inevitable early move contained Bram Tankink (Rabobank), Ivan Rovny (RadioShack) and Mathieu Perget (AG2R La Mondiale), a trio who built a lead of over six minutes. However they were caught on the Alto de Gabiria hill 14 kilometres from the line. The Schlecks’ Leopard Trek team drove the pace towards the final climb, hoping to set up the two brothers, but when Horner hit the gas at the bottom of the short, steep ascent, they were unable to respond.
The 2010 champion ripped clear 3.5 kilometres from the finish and over the next 500 metres, he pushed hard towards the top. Rodriguez managed to drop him and move slightly ahead, crossing the prime line two seconds clear. Horner and Sanchez were next, while Klöden was six second back.
The quartet regrouped on the descent, after which Horner moved to the front to try to help Klöden repeat his unexpected sprint win over Sanchez in Paris-Nice. It was not to be this time round, however, with Rodriguez and Sanchez both proving quicker.
Tomorrow’s stage runs 167 kilometres from Zumarraga to Lekunberri. It is a tougher day in the saddle, with two first category climbs certain to shake things up and give an opportunity to those who lost time today to try to get closer to the yellow jersey.