Gianluca Brambilla of Omega Pharma-Quick Step and Ivan Rovny of Tinkoff-Saxo got into a disagreement on Monday’s stage. The conflict escalated quickly and the two traded blows while riding. So far, no word has been released to suggest what the fight was about. The altercation was seen by race Commissaires and the two were removed from the tour.
The loss of Rovny could have proven damaging for race leader Alberto Contador who is now with one less teammate for the rest of the Vuelta. However, the Spanish rider pulled away from the field with rival Chris Froome before attacking in the final kilometre of the stage to win the day’s effort and expand his lead.
Hesjedal Canadian Highlight at Vuelta
Garmin-Sharp’s Ryder Hesjedal won Saturday’s stage at the Vuelta. The victory was a welcome achievement for Hesjedal, who has been sharing team leader responsibilities with teammate Dan Martin for much of the season.
The cyclist from Victoria hasn’t had much luck this season in replicating the performance that crowned him as champion of the 2012 Giro d’Italia. Illness and injury have frustrated Hesjedal’s efforts this year, and relegated him to the role of domestique to Martin’s leadership.
Hesjedal’s ride up the final stretch into La Camperona was proof that the Canadian can put together a strong ride — something that will no doubt help in retaining a spot on the roster when Garmin-Sharp merges with the Cannondale team in the off-season.
The victory was an excellent way of hitting a reset button for Hesjedal. Last week, the Canadian crashed in a corner, and the rear wheel on his bike continued to turn. This prompted a short lived series of accusations that Hesjedal was “motor-doping,” using a hidden motor to propel him up the steep mountain roads.
Hesjedal laughed off the accusations and a cursory inspection was conducted by the UCI. However, the Canadian was more pointed when asked about the humour of the situation.
Despite a body that seems to preclude real strength on steep uphill stages, Hesjedal’s victory on Saturday was a unique opportunity to put to rest any ideas he needs a motor to escape up the steepest of mountains. Team boss Jonathan Vaughters even took a swipe at the European news outlets that led the initial accusations.
… to which one of the papers replied …
The final week
The racers enjoy their second and final rest day on Tuesday before the push to the ultimate finish line in Santiago de Compostela. Only one mountainous stage remains on the penultimate day, followed by a time trial finale.
The rest of the week is made up of flatter stages open to riders with the power to escape and stay away from the group. Ordinarily this week would suit Sky’s Froome but the Briton has failed to show enough strength — physical or mental — to inspire much confidence in fans.
Tinkoff-Saxo will need to control the pace to help manage Contador’s lead but the host country’s hero looks set to win his third Vuelta come Sunday.