Torrent Takes All At Rioja
The Spaniard Carlos Torrent (Jazztel) has won the 42nd. Vuelta Ciclista a La Rioja, after to-days third and last stage contested between Haro and Logroсo a distance of 222 kilometres.
The stage was characterized by the attacking style of the Kelme team, who tried all day to break the hold Jazztel had on the lead, also a sign that Roberto Heras (US Postal) may have put a disappointing year 2001 behind him, by taking two of the three mountain climbs. As much as they all tried, Torrent’s team kept it all together, only letting a group of 10 get 2 minutes 38 seconds up the road.
Osa, Heras & De Los Angeles were in the group but would need to gain 9 minutes to topple Torrent. Koldo Gil (ibanesto.com) took 8 seconds from De Los Angeles & 15 from the other 8 escapees to win the stage. Rafael Casero, brother of Angel, winner of last years Vuelta, was in a creditable 26th place, but the bad news about his brother is he will not start in the Giro because he will have to undergo surgery on his bad knee.
Overall Result.
1st. Torrent (Jazztel) 13.00.02
2nd.Menchov (ibanesto) same time
3rd. Florencio (ONCE) same time
4th. Sumens (Vlaanderen) at 2 secs.
5th. Perez (Spanish road Elite) at 2 secs.
30th. M. Barry (USPostal) at 9m 26secs.
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