La Vuelta 2012 Stage 8: GC Contenders Battle on Fast Paced Stage
Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team rider Kevin De Weert tried an early race attack in the 174.7km La Vuelta a Espana Stage 8 on Saturday, but he, like other riders who tried before, couldn't get a gap on a peloton that averaged 53km/h in the first hour of racing.
There was a tailwind, and all of the peloton wanted a chance at this stage. However, eventually they were satisfied with a break of six riders, and that break was reduced to just one rider — Cameron Meyer (Orica-GreenEDGE) on the final climb to the finish.
Meyer was eventually caught by attackers and GC contenders Chris Froome (Sky ProCycling) and Alberto Contador (Team Saxo Bank- Tinkoff Bank) on Cat 1 Collada da Gallina (7.2km, avg gradient 8%, ramps of 15% & 21%).
Those three were eventually bridged to by Alejandro Valverde (Movistar), GC leader Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha Team) and Daniel Moreno (Katusha Team), but Froome decided with 1km to go that he would try an attack.
Contador marked him, and then attacked himself. It looked like he might get the victory as he was climbing solo, seated, but Valverde came charging from behind and passed him just a few meters before the line for the win. Rodriguez also passed Contador for 2nd. Froome finished 15" back from those three. Rodriguez remains the GC leader.
Serge Pauwels was the top finisher for OPQS, in 38th place (+3'06").
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