RACE REPORTS: STAGE 4: 29TH VUELTA CICLISTA A LA REGIÓN DE MURCIA

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RACE REPORTS: STAGE 4: 29TH VUELTA CICLISTA A LA REGIÓN DE MURCIA
Tim Maloney-European Editor
March 7, 2009

(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

Exiled to race in Portugal due to his alleged involvement in Operacion Puerto, Rubén Plaza (Liberty Seguros) won stage four of the Vuelta a Murcia in Alhama de Murcia, Spain, ahead of José Herrada (Contentpolis-Ampo) and Denis Menchov (Rabobank). The final ascent of the day, the 1150m. Alto del Collado Bermejo. with 23km downhill to the finish line was decisive, as rockin' Russian Menchov gained enough time on yesterday's race leader Frantisek Rabon (Columbia) to take command of the 29th Vuelta Ciclista a la Región de Murcia. Menchov, a two-time Vuelta a España winner now leads the general classification over Plaza and teammate Pieter Weening. Sunday's final 142.5km stage five from Santiago de la Ribera to Murcia has three Category 3 climbs but the Rabobanker should have no problem cashing in for the Vuelta Murcia win.

29th Vuelta Ciclista a la Región de Murcia
Spain, March 4-8, 2009
Saturday, March 7
Stage 4: Alhama de Murcia-Alhama de Murcia / 156.1km
1. Rubén Plaza (Spa) Liberty
2. José Herrada (Spa) Contentpolis-Ampo
3. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
4. Jaume Rovira (Spa) Andorra-GrandValira
5. Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr) Columbia

Vuelta Ciclista a la Región de Murcia / General classification Stage 4
1. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank
2. Rubén Plaza (Spa) Liberty
3. Pieter Weening (Ned) Rabobank

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