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RACE REPORTS: VUELTA A ESPAÑA STAGE 6 REPORT
Road Bike Action
September 4, 2008
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World Champion Paolo Bettini of Quick Step won the sixth stage of the Vuelta a España on Thursday. The 150.1 kilometer stage from Ciudad Real to Toledo also saw France's Sylvain Chavanel of Cofidis take the overall lead from American Levi Leipheimer.
Bettini came in ahead of Philippe Gilbert of Francaise des Jeux, while Alejandro Valverde of Caisse d'Epargne was third. A small hill five kilometers from the finish split the peloton. While some sprinters made it over in the front group, the hilly run-in zapped their finishing speed. Bettini, who excels at such finishes, easily out kicked Gilbert and showed he is ready for the World Championships later this month.
Chavanel, who climbed to second place in the overall standings after Wednesday's individual time trial, collected 12 bonus seconds for winning both intermediate sprints. This allowed Chavanel to take the leader's golden jersey from Leipheimer.
Tomorrow will be the first rest day of the Vuelta. Saturday's seventh stage will be the first stage in the Pyrenees and includes the Vuelta’s first major mountain pass. The stage runs 223 kilometers from Barbastro to La Rabassa in Andorra.
63rd Vuelta a España
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Stage 6 Ciudad Real - Toledo / 150.1km
1.Paolo Bettini (ITA) 3h 19min 28sec
2. Phillippe Gilbert (BEL) s.t.
3. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) s.t.
4. Oscar Freire (ESP) s.t.
5. Daniele Bennati (ITA) s.t.
Overall
1.Sylvain Chavanel (FRA) 17h 35min 35sec
2. Levi Leipheimer (USA) at 10sec
3. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) at 26sec
4. Alberto Contador (ESP) at 57sec
5. Carlos Sastre (ESP) at 1min 37sec
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