Though neither of their high profile leaders are placed well overall, Geox-TMC is still satisfied with several cards in play, most notably Juan Jose Cobo, who took third on the line in yesterday’s stage nine of the Vuelta a España. He appeared at his limit, but the Spanish veteran was able to follow a select group of overall favourites who clung to Team Sky’s duo of Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins, as the British pair ripped up the field on the stage’s final climb.
Overall leader Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) lost his leader’s jersey to Bauke Mollema (Rabobank) at the end of the day, which was won by Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervelo).
Geox-TMC rode solidly on what was a difficult day for many others. Team leader Denis Menchov was eighth on the stage, twelve seconds behind Martin. Fabio Duarte came home 21st, and Carlos Sastre 36th, 2 minutes 3 seconds in arrears.
“We are pleased with the development of the race, and with the result,” team director Joxean Fernandez proclaimed after the stage. “This is one of the first stages that fits the characteristics of our team, with a final climb that suited our explosiveness. Our guys put in a pretty good performance today.”
The climb to La Covatilla reached gradients of fourteen percent, but it was a blistering pace that put many into difficulty. Martin and Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) went on the attack, but were brought back when Froome hit the front in support of Wiggins. First Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) and then Rodriguez slipped backward.
Cobo was able to cover every increase in pace. “Juanjo was always with the leaders,” Fernandez enthused. “He came in with the first group and he almost got the victory.”
“Menchov was good. He was caught at the back with [Mikel] Nieve (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and Rodriguez, and that forced him to make the climb himself, but he finished up with Nibali. Duarte has made improvements. Sastre still has not had the best legs, but he was still okay.”
Though he has had a quiet season to date with no wins to his credit, Cobo seems to be coming into form at just the right time. “I am happy, very satisfied with my third place,” the former Vuelta al Pais Vasco champion remarked after the finish. “I would have loved to win, but both Martin and Mollema (who finished second) were better. I did not have super strength today, and as a result, I missed a little in the end when I was going for the win.”
“My performance today was not a surprise to me,” the Spaniard continued. “I have felt good, but these finishes lately have not suited me and I have lost some seconds.”
Cobo sits in tenth overall, 46 seconds behind Mollema, who took overall the leader’s jersey after his second place finish.
“The team we brought to the Vuelta is good in the mountains,” he concluded. “Both Denis and Carlos are great riders, I am going well, and Duarte is a pure climber. It makes sense that we should excel in these stages.”