Road Racing

Easton comes out with an affordable aluminum-rim tubeless road wheel. Plus some more new goodies.

LEON, Spain (VN) — Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins says Vuelta a España race leader Juanjo Cobo deserves a benefit of the doubt against insinuations that the Geox-TMC rider's Angliru performance might appear too good to believe.

A look at the low, low gears riders used on the Vuelta's 15th stage

LEON, Spain (VN) — You'd think that one of the best young, emerging climbers in the peloton might love the 20-percent-plus grades of the Angliru, but Garmin-Cervélo climber Daniel Martin rode away unimpressed with Spain's hardest mountain.

Tom Boonen's rough ride in the Vuelta a España got even rougher during Sunday's 15th stage to the notorious Angliru.

Graham Watson captures the action on the Angliru.

Dreams of overall victory at the Vuelta a España came crashing down for Team Sky under a lethal onslaught from Juanjo Cobo (Geox-TMC), who tore away from the tandem of Wiggins and Froome with 5km to go on the Angliru and turned a 55-second deficit into a 20-second lead.

Stage 15

• 1. Juan José Cobo, Geox-TMC, at 4:01:56
• 2. Wouter Poels, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 0:48
• 3. Denis Menchov, Geox-TMC, same time
• 4. Christopher Froome, Team Sky, s.t.
• 5. Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky, at 1:21

GC

• 1. Juan José Cobo, Geox-TMC, at 59:57:16
• 2. Christopher Froome, Team Sky, at 20
• 3. Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky, at 46
• 4. Bauke Mollema, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 1:36
• 5. Maxime Monfort, Leopard-Trek, at 2:37

Juan Jose Cobo (Geox-TMC) climbed to the overall lead in the Vuelta a España on Sunday, conquering the decisive Angliru stage and leaving red jersey Bradley Wiggins (Sky) struggling on the steeps.

On paper, Angliru favors Christopher Froome over Bradley Wiggins. It will be interesting to see how Sky plays it out once the race is under way. Will Team Sky put the brakes on Froome if he's flying again and Wiggins is just barely hanging on?

For Andrew Talansky (Garmin-Cervélo) and Matthew Busche (RadioShack), making it to the finish line in Spain's capital on September 11 would mean more than a personal milestone; it would prove that both have the grit to not only finish their grand-tour debuts, but do so against a brutal course in harsh conditions.

Karsten Kroon (BMC) and Sep Vanmarcke (Garmin-Cervélo) were both involved in a heavy crash on the descent off the Cat. 2 Puerto de Ventana in Saturday's 14th stage at the Vuelta a España.

Graham Watson shoots stage 14 of the 2011 Vuelta a España.

Rein Taaramae, who's been close to big wins since turning pro in 2008, proved Saturday that youthful exuberance sometimes pays off. He bravely fought all the way to the line, losing David de la Fuente (Geox-TMC) in the final kilometers to solo home for the biggest win of his young, but promising career.

For Quick Step's Tom Boonen, who only returned to racing at the Tour of Poland after crashing out of the 2011 Tour with a concussion, getting through the Vuelta is essential for him to have any chance of winning the rainbow jersey a second time.

Stage 14

• 1. Rein Taaramae, Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne, 4:39:01
• 2. Juan José Cobo, Geox-TMC, at 0:25
• 3. Fuente David De La, Geox-TMC, at 0:29
• 4. Wouter Poels, Vacansoleil-DCM, at 0:40
• 5. Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky, at 0:45

GC

• 1. Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky, 55:54:45
• 2. Christopher Froome, Team Sky, at 0:07
• 3. Bauke Mollema, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 0:36
• 4. Juan José Cobo, Geox-TMC, at 0:55
• 5. Jakob Fuglsang, Leopard-Trek, at 0:58

Rein Taaramae (Cofidis) rode alone to victory in stage 14 of the Vuelta a España as race leader Bradley Wiggins (Sky) and teammate Christopher Froome pummeled the other GC favorites on the final climb.

Laura Van Gilder and newly minted USPRO criterium champion Eric Young opened their accounts in the THF Realty Gateway Cup on a steamy Friday night in St. Louis, winning the Tour de Lafayette criterium.

PONFERRADA, Spain (VN) - Taylor Phinney's grand tour debut ended Friday on the steep, punishing roads of western Spain in the 13th stage of the Vuelta a España.

Fulgsang said Leopard-Trek riders have heard nothing from team staff about an alleged merger

Stage

• 1. Michael ALBASINI, (SUI) HTC-Highroad, in 4:19:39
• 2. Eros CAPECCHI, (ITA) Liquigas-Cannondale, at 0
• 3. Daniel MORENO FERNANDEZ, (ESP) Team Katusha, at 0
• 4. David DE LA FUENTE RASILLA, (ESP) Geox-Tmc, at 0
• 5. Nicolas ROCHE, (IRL) Ag2r La Mondiale, at 0

• 1. Bradley Wiggins, (GBR) Team Sky, in 51:14:59
• 2. Vincenzo NIBALI, (ITA) Liquigas-Cannondale, at 4
• 3. Christopher FROOME, (GBR) Team Sky, at 7
• 4. Fredrik KESSIAKOFF, (SWE) Astana, at 9
• 5. Jakob FUGLSANG, (DEN) Leopard-Trek, at 19

A look at three unusual new clothing items from Castelli

Nick Legan takes a look at Michelin's long-awaited Pro4 clincher

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NIck Legan takes a look at some new wider wheel designs from Bontrager and Zipp. Plus a look at some special brakes that work on the wider rims.

Marcel Kittel (Skil-Shimano) won't be starting Friday's 13th stage of the Vuelta a España, but the big German sprinter can leave with his head held high.

Nick Legan takes a quick look at the wheel company's venture into helmets

Nick Legan ferrets out some innovations in Germany

Stage

• 1. David MONCOUTIE, (FRA) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne, in 4:38:00
• 2. Benat INTXAUSTI ELORRIAGA, (ESP) Movistar, at 1:18
• 3. Luis Leon SANCHEZ GIL, (ESP) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 1:18
• 4. Mathias FRANK, (SUI) BMC Racing Team, at 1:36
• 5. Sergio Miguel Moreira PAULINHO, (POR) Team RadioShack, at 1:43

• 1. Bradley Wiggins, (Great Britain) Team Sky, in 42:50:41
• 2. Christopher FROOME, (Great Britain) Team Sky, at 7
• 3. Vincenzo NIBALI, (Italy) Liquigas-Cannondale, at 11
• 4. Fredrik KESSIAKOFF, (Sweden) Astana, at 14
• 5. Jakob FUGLSANG, (Denmark) Leopard-Trek, at 19

Three summit finishes over the next five days should do a lot to settle a GC situation that remains very open midway through the 2011 Vuelta a España.

Jakob Fulgsang is one of those young riders who catch lots of hype early in their careers and reach a certain tipping point. Some live up to the expectations while others seem to crack under the pressure.

Eurobike 2011 opens Wednesday but exhibitors were busy Tuesday assembling their booths. Here's a quick look at some of the new bike gear that will be on display at Europe's big trade show.

Stage

• 1. MARTIN Tony, HTC-Highroad (thr), in 55:54
• 2. FROOME Christopher, Sky Procycling (sky), at 59
• 3. WIGGINS Bradley, Sky Procycling (sky), at 1:22
• 4. CANCELLARA Fabian, Leopard Trek (leo), at 1:27
• 5. PHINNEY Taylor, BMC Racing Team (BMC), at 1:33

GC

• 1. Christopher Froome, Sky Procycling (sky), in 38:09:13
• 2. Jakob Fuglsang, Leopard Trek (leo), at 12
• 3. Bradley Wiggins, Sky Procycling (sky), at 20
• 4. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas-Cannondale (liq), at 31
• 5. Fredrik Kessiakoff, Pro Team Astana (ast), at 34

How Pearl Izumi's Speed Shop made sublimated clothing for the USA PCC category leaders

Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) sewed up his overall victory in the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge on Sunday as Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Cannondale) won the final stage before a packed house in downtown Denver.

Bradley Wiggins is poised to be the next leader of the Vuelta, but Joaquim "Purito" Rodríguez hasn't given up hope.

This year's scorcher of a Vuelta is proving disastrous to more than a few of the favorites going into the 2011 worlds, slated for a sprint-friendly course in Copenhagen on September 25.

Graham Watson hauls his camera bag to the ski station at Sierra de Bejar on Sunday.

Stage 9

• 1. Daniel Martin, Garmin-Cervélo, at 4:52:14
• 2. Bauke Mollema, Rabobank Cycling Team, same time
• 3. Juan José Cobo, Geox-TMC, at 0:03
• 4. Bradley Wiggins, Team Sky, at 0:04
• 5. Christopher Froome, Team Sky, at 0:07

GC

• 1. Bauke Mollema, Rabobank Cycling Team, 37:11:17
• 2. Joaquin Rodriguez, Team Katusha, at 0:01
• 3. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas-Cannondale, at 0:09
• 4. Fredrik Kessiakoff, Astana, at 0:18
• 5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Omega Pharma-Lotto, at 0:27

Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo) wins a thriller of a stage as Rabobank's Bauke Mollema takes the lead at the 2011 Vuelta a España.

Liquigas-Cannondale's Elia Viviani did it again on Saturday, winning stage 5 of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge in Breckenridge, Colorado.

Annemiek van Vleuten (Nederland Bloeit) cemented her position at the top of the World Cup table with a stylish win at the final round in Plouay, France on Saturday.

Graham Watson captures stage 8 of the 2011 Vuelta a España.

Stage 8

• 1. Joaquin Rodriguez, Team Katusha, 4:49:01
• 2. Michele Scarponi, Lampre-ISD, at 0:09
• 3. Bauke Mollema, Rabobank Cycling Team, at 0:09
• 4. Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Omega Pharma-Lotto, at 0:09
• 5. Jakob Fuglsang, Leopard-Trek, at 0:12

GC

• 1. Joaquin Rodriguez, Team Katusha, 32:18:16
• 2. Daniel Moreno, Team Katusha, at 0:32
• 3. Jakob Fuglsang, Leopard-Trek, at 0:34
• 4. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas-Cannondale, at 0:45
• 5. Michele Scarponi, Lampre-ISD, at 0:51

Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha) shot away on a ridiculously steep cobbled climb to win his second stage of the 2011 Vuelta a España on Saturday.

Tyler Farrar called it quits during stage 8 of the 2011 Vuelta a España after twice coughing up blood.

Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervélo) was transported to a local hospital via ambulance after a high-speed crash late in Friday's seventh stage at the Vuelta a España.

Squeaky pedals, carbon brake tracks, post-Tour fashion faux pas & more

Graham Watson shoots stage 7 of the 2011 Vuelta a España.

Matthew Busche says he's riding the Vuelta for his future; Heinrich Haussler is hoping to rebuild his form.

Stage 7

• 1. Marcel Kittel, Skil-Shimano, 4:47:59
• 2. Peter Sagan, Liquigas-Cannondale, same time
• 3. Óscar Freire, Rabobank Cycling Team, s.t.
• 4. Daniele Bennati, Leopard-Trek, s.t.
• 5. Lloyd Mondory, Ag2r La Mondiale, s.t.

GC

• 1. Sylvain Chavanel, Quick Step, 27:29:12
• 2. Daniel Moreno, Team Katusha, at 0:15
• 3. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas-Cannondale, at 0:16
• 4. Joaquin Rodriguez, Team Katusha, at 0:23
• 5. Jakob Fuglsang, Leopard-Trek, at 0:25

Marcel Kittel (Skil-Shimano) escaped a massive pileup in the final kilometer to win stage 7 of the 2011 Vuelta a España on Friday.

Conventional wisdom has shifted among race organizers, who are under the gun to deliver exciting finales that capture the attention of fans and media alike.

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Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) regained the overall lead of the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Classic on Thursday after winning the 10-mile Vail individual time trial.

Taylor Phinney (BMC) was close to riding into the day's main breakaway in Thursday's scorcher across Andalucîa when he pulled clear in the opening kilometers of the 193.4km stage.

Graham Watson shoots stage 6 of the 2011 Vuelta a España.

Kurt-Asle Arvesen (Sky) pulled out of his final grand tour due to injuries from a high-speed collision with a young boy in Wednesday's fifth stage.

Stage 6

• 1. Peter Sagan, Liquigas-Cannondale, 4:38:22
• 2. Pablo Lastras, Movistar, same time
• 3. Valerio Agnoli, Liquigas-Cannondale, s.t.
• 4. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas-Cannondale, s.t.
• 5. Eros Capecchi, Liquigas-Cannondale, at 0:03

GC

• 1. Sylvain Chavanel, Quick Step, 22:41:13
• 2. Daniel Moreno, Team Katusha, at 0:15
• 3. Vincenzo Nibali, Liquigas-Cannondale, at 0:16
• 4. Joaquin Rodriguez, Team Katusha, at 0:23
• 5. Jakob Fuglsang, Leopard-Trek, at 0:25

Peter Sagan won stage 6 of the 2011 Vuelta a España on Thursday out of what was basically a Liquigas-Cannondale team time trial.

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VALDEPENAS, Spain (VN) - Kanstantsin Sivtsov says he secured his future long before the collapse of the HTC-Highroad team, which will shutter its doors at the end of the 2011 season.

• 1. Joaquin RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, (ESP) Team Katusha, in 4:42:54
• 2. Wouter POELS, (NED) Vacansoleil-Dcm, at 4
• 3. Daniel MORENO FERNANDEZ, (ESP) Team Katusha, at 5
• 4. Bauke MOLLEMA, (NED) Rabobank Cycling Team, at 7
• 5. Michele SCARPONI, (ITA) Lampre-Isd, at 8

VALDEPENAS DE JAEN, Spain (AFP) - Spaniard Joaquim Rodriguez won the mountainous fifth stage of the Tour of Spain on Wednesday, a 187km ride from the ski resort of Sierra Nevada.

How did the USA Pro Challenge attract the Tour podium?