Nozal blows them all away at Vuelta

• Photos
• Results

By Andrew Hood

Photo: Graham Watson

The Vuelta a España always serves up surprises and Isidro Nozal’s winning ride in Thursday’s 43.8km individual time trial ranks as the biggest so far this year.

To be sure, Nozal promised he’d put everything into defending his 50-second hold on the race leader’s jersey, but no one expected him to do it in such dominant fashion. Not even Nozal himself.

That hurt!

Photo: Graham Watson

“I thought I had good chances to limit my losses and keep the jersey, but I never dreamed of winning like this,” said Nozal, who powered through fierce winds to beat David Millar by an impressive 1 minute, 20 seconds.

Nozal, whose lone professional victory was a time trial at the Clasico de Alcobendas in the mountains north of Madrid – when he also beat Millar – now finds himself 2:27 ahead of ONCE teammate Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano.

“I don’t think I’m ready to win the Vuelta,” admitted the 25-year-old. “If I finish in the top 10 I’ll be very satisfied, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to fight.”

Winds of change
Strong winds up to 50 mph howled down the Ebro Valley and shredded the hopes of many for this Vuelta.

Riders visibly struggled against the winds which strengthened for the later starters. Such favorites as Francisco Mancebo (21st at 3:48), Carlos Sastre (35th at 4:44) and Oscar Sevilla (63rd at 5:51) giving up more time than they hoped.

“It was worse than I expected and I did all I could. The suffering was horrible when the wind was in my face,” said Sevilla, now 30th overall at 7:26 back. “I’m still suffering from my injuries and from my crash. We’ll see what happens in the mountains. Maybe I can return to normal in the Pyrenees.”

The wide-open route held on a newly constructed, yet-to-be-used highway offered nowhere to hide. The out-and-back course looped around the south side of Zaragoza, with the wind blowing from the northwest and almost always at a crosswind.

Millar didn’t think he was fast enough to win but he was almost proved wrong. Millar admittedly came into this Vuelta not in his best form and the Scot said he’s hoping to build momentum with eyes toward the Vuelta’s second time trial at Albacete on Sept. 19.

Millar’s early fastest time withstood such specialists as Angel Casero (11th at 2:25) and Aitor Gonzalez (5th at 1:41) and stage favorite Gonzalez de Galdeano (4th at 1:37) couldn’t hold the pace of a fast start that put him 28 seconds up on the Brit’ at the 10km checkpoint, but then saw him trail Millar’s time by 16 seconds at 21km.

Gonzalez rode well, but couldn’t match Millar and Nozal.

Photo: Graham Watson

Defending champion Gonzalez clearly is not the same man he was last year, when he won three stages and claimed the overall title in a final day showdown with Postal’s Roberto Heras.

“I couldn’t quite keep the pace I was hoping for,” said Gonzalez, now ninth overall at 5:15 back. “I did the best I could. We’ll see if I can recuperate a little bit in the Pyrenees and make something happen.”

Milaneza’s Claus Möller snuck into fourth overall at 4:16 back after riding to a solid seventh-place finish.

Posties sitting pretty
U.S. Postal suddenly finds itself with two options for the overall after the superb ride by Manuel “Triki” Beltran. Beltran had a great time trial (6th at 1:42 back) while Heras rode as best as he could in the wind (18th at 3:35 slower).

“Beltran really surpassed himself today,” said U.S. Postal’s sport director Johan Bruyneel. “Two guys had the time trial of their lives today, Nozal and Beltran.”

With three difficult days looming in the Pyrenees, Beltran now sits third overall at 2:42 back and Heras fifth at 4:35 back.

“We have three important days coming up and it’s very good for us that our two best climbers are right there,” Bruyneel said. “I knew that both Beltran and Heras were strong coming in. I think the balance after the first time trial is very positive.”

Heras remains the favorite for final victory and is optimistic going into three difficult climbing stages in the Pyrenees starting Friday.

“Now we head into my terrain and we’ll see if I can attack and make up some of the time I lost today,” said Heras, the 2000 Vuelta winner. “It was a hard ride, the wind was awful. Conditions were not in my favor today. The mountains will be the test. We’re motivated.”

Telekom’s Bobby Julich led the Americans with a solid ride at 15th at 3:18 slower while Rabobank’s Levi Leipheimer came through 41st at 4:50 slower. U.S. Postal’s Floyd Landis and George Hincapie finished 30th at 4:33 and 55th at 5:27, respectively. Caldirola’s Fred Rodriguez came through 100th at 6:36 slower.

ONCE party
ONCE is intent on making its final Vuelta count. The team’s sponsor – the Spanish national lottery that funds a blind person’s foundation – is pulling the plug on the team at the end of the 2003 season.

Galdeano was expected to end the day in gold

Photo: Graham Watson

ONCE barnstormed to victory in the team time trial to open the Vuelta last weekend in Gijón and passed the leader’s golden jersey around the team with the idea that Galdeano would ride into the lead in Zaragoza.

But Nozal’s strong ride gives the team even more options. Nozal is a classic worker, but rode well up the difficult climbs in stage 2 and 4.

“This victory will help me demonstrate that I can be a leader as well as work hard for the team,” said Nozal, who averaged 49.06kph. “The next three days are very demanding and we’re hoping to do well with the leader’s jersey between me and Igor.”

ONCE pushed three riders into the top five in Thursday’s time trial and kept the top two spots in the overall.

“Everything’s going well for the team since the team time trial,” said ONCE’s sport director Manolo Saiz. “The differences we made today to Heras are important because he’s one of the most dangerous. The Vuelta continues and now the climbers have a lot to say.”

Nozal’s ride surprised his teammates.

“Nozal’s always strong in all the races he does, but I’ve never seen him make a time trial like he did today. It’s a big surprise for everyone,” Galdeano said. “We made some important differences to some key riders, who are now quite a bit back like (Aitor) Gonzales and Casero. It’s very important the differences we made to Heras, who is the big favorite to win.”

Tough mountain test up next
The Vuelta gets vertical with Friday’s 190km seventh stage from Huesca to Cauterets (Cam Basque), France, the second-longest stage of the race.

The stage will provide the first glimpse of the climbers on their favored terrain as the Vuelta dips into France for the first time since 1998, when the race organizers decided not to enter France after the Festina Affaire in the Tour de France that same year.

The stage opens with the Category 2 Alto de Monrepós at 26km and hits the 1790m, Cat. 1 Alto de Portalet at 93km before crossing into France. After dropping down to 520m, the course hits the “hard” side of the “especial” climb up the 1700m Col d’Aubisque. The course drops to 490m and ends with the Cat. 1 climb to the Cam Basque ski area at 1350m

The final push features ramps as steep as 10 percent with an average grade of 5.1 percent over the 16km climb.

To see how this Vuelta time trial unfolded, just Click Here to bring up our Live Update window and check back soon for full results, a stage report and photos.

Photo Gallery

Results

Note: – North American riders in BOLD and riders on North American teams UNDERLINED.

Overall Standings Posted Below.

Preliminary Stage Results

1. Isidro Nozal (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 53:34

2. David Millar (GB), Cofidis, 1:20

3. Jan Hruska (Cz), ONCE – Eroski, 1:26

4. Igor Glez. Galdeano (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 1:37

5. Aitor Gonzalez (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 1:41

6. Manuel Beltran (Sp), U.S. Postal Service, 1:42

7. Klaus Möller (Dk), Milaneza – MSS, 1:56

8. Bert Grabsch (G), Phonak, 1:57

9. Dario Frigo (I), Fassa Bortolo, 2:21

10. Santos Gonzalez (Sp), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 2:23

11. Angel Casero (Sp), Bianchi, 2:25

12. Carlos Torrent (Sp), ALM, 3:01

13. Alex Zülle (Swi), Phonak, 3:01

14. Michele Scarponi (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 3:16

15. Bobby Julich (USA), Telekom, 3:18

16. Rubens Bertogliati (Swi), Lampre, 3:25

17. Guido Trentin (I), Cofidis, 3:26

18. Roberto Heras (Sp), U.S. Postal Service, 3:35
19. Michael Barry (Can), U.S. Postal Service, 3:46

20. Alberto Martinez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 3:48

21. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), iBanesto.com, 3:48

22. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 3:48

23. Torsten Hiekmann (G), Telekom, 3:56

24. Marcos Serrano (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 3:59

25. Gorka Arrizabalaga (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4:03

26. José Luis Rubiera (Sp), U.S. Postal Service, 4:13

27. José Azevedo (P), ONCE – Eroski, 4:16

28. José Garcia Acosta (Sp), iBanesto.com, 4:23

29. José Gutierrez (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 4:29

30. Floyd Landis (USA), U.S. Postal Service, 4:33

31. Aitor Osa (Sp), iBanesto.com, 4:41

32. Luis Perez (Sp), Cofidis, 4:41

33. Iñigo Cuesta (Sp), Cofidis, 4:42

34. Félix Garcia Casas (Sp), Bianchi, 4:43

35. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 4:44

36. Iker Flores (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 4:44

37. David CaÑada (Sp), Quick Step-Davitamon, 4:44

38. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Sp), Phonak, 4:45

39. Rafael Casero (Sp), ALM, 4:48

40. Pedro Horrillo (Sp), Quick Step-Davitamon, 4:49

41. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Rabobank, 4:50

42. Oscar Pereiro (Sp), Phonak, 4:51

43. Benjamín Noval (Sp), Relax, 4:54

44. Steffan Wesemann (G), Telekom, 4:55

45. Unai Osa (Sp), iBanesto.com, 4:56

46. Michael Sandstod (Dk), CSC, 5:02

47. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 5:02

48. Juan Miguel Mercado (Sp), iBanesto.com, 5:03

49. Cristian Moreni (I), Alessio, 5:06

50. Mikel Pradera (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 5:07

51. Peter Luttenberger (A), CSC, 5:22

52. Stephan Schreck (G), Telekom, 5:22

53. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 5:23

54. Jesus Maria Manzano (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 5:26

55. George Hincapie (USA), U.S. Postal Service, 5:27

56. Kyryl Pospyeyev (Ukr), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 5:27

57. Bekim Christensen (Dk), CSC, 5:28

58. Felix Cardenas (Col), L2C, 5:32

59. Raphael Schweda (G), Bianchi, 5:33

60. Patrick Sinkewitz (G), Quick Step-Davitamon, 5:36

61. Denis Lunghi (I), Alessio, 5:37

62. Ronald Mutsaars (Nl), Rabobank, 5:47

63. Oscar Sevilla (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 5:51

64. Alexandre Usov (Blr), Phonak, 5:52

65. Antonio Tauler (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 5:52

66. Francisco Vila (Sp), Lampre, 5:54

67. Renato Silva (P), Milaneza – MSS, 5:54

68. David Latasa (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 5:54

69. Wladimir Belli (I), Lampre, 5:54

70. Jan Svorada (Cz), Lampre, 5:56

71. Jan Boven (Nl), Rabobank, 5:57

72. Unai Etxebarria (Vz), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 6:00

73. Benoit Joachim (Lux), U.S. Postal Service, 6:03

74. Pablo Lastras (Sp), iBanesto.com, 6:04

75. Jurgen Van Goolen (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 6:06

76. Jörg Jaksche (G), ONCE – Eroski, 6:06

77. Dmitri Fofonov (Kaz), Cofidis, 6:07

78. Angel Vicioso (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 6:07

79. David Navas (Sp), Relax, 6:08

80. Kurt Van De Wouwer (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 6:09

81. José Luis Arrieta (Sp), iBanesto.com, 6:10

82. Gorka Gonzalez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 6:11

83. Igor Astarloa (Sp), Saeco, 6:11

84. Juan Fuentes (Sp), Saeco, 6:11

85. Oscar Laguna (Sp), Relax, 6:12

86. Filippo Simeoni (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 6:13

87. Joaquin Rodriguez (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 6:18

88. Gianluca Sironi (I), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 6:19

89. David Etxebarria (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 6:20

90. Angelo Furlan (I), Alessio, 6:21

91. Cesar Garcia Calvo (Sp), L2C, 6:24

92. Joan Horrach (Sp), Milaneza – MSS, 6:28

93. Christian Werner (G), Telekom, 6:29

94. Germán Nieto (Sp), Relax, 6:29

95. Thorsten Rund (G), Bianchi, 6:30

96. Ruslan Ivanov (MDA), Alessio, 6:33

97. Francesco Secchiari (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 6:33

98. Juan Manuel Garate (Sp), Lampre, 6:34

99. Pedro Cardoso (P), Milaneza – MSS, 6:34

100. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 6:36

101. Gianpaolo Mondini (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 6:36

102. Carlos Garcia Quesada (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 6:39

103. Max Van Heeswijk (Nl), U.S. Postal Service, 6:40

104. Mariano Piccoli (I), Lampre, 6:40

105. Juan José De Los Angeles (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 6:41

106. José Jufre (Sp), Relax, 6:42

107. Santiago Perez (Sp), Phonak, 6:45

108. Fabian Jeker (Swi), Milaneza – MSS, 6:45

109. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quick Step-Davitamon, 6:48

110. Angelo Lopeboselli (I), Cofidis, 6:49

111. Pedro Diaz Lobato (Sp), ALM, 6:49

112. José Luis Martinez (Sp), ALM, 6:49

113. Erik Zabel (G), Telekom, 6:51

114. Fabrizio Guidi (I), Bianchi, 6:57

115. Domingo Sanchez (Sp), ALM, 6:58

116. Alessandro Petacchi (I), Fassa Bortolo, 7:00

117. Roberto Laiseka (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 7:00

118. Mario Aerts (B), Telekom, 7:01

119. Frank Schleck (Lux), CSC, 7:01

120. Nicki Sorensen (Dk), CSC, 7:03

121. Paulo Barroso (P), Milaneza – MSS, 7:08

122. Iñaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 7:08

123. Serguei Ivanov (Rus), Fassa Bortolo, 7:09

124. Francisco Cabello (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 7:10

125. Simone Bertoletti (I), Lampre, 7:12

126. Constantino Zaballa (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 7:14

127. Ivan Herrero (Sp), L2C, 7:16

128. Frank Vandenbroucke (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 7:18

129. Giovanni Lombardi (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 7:27

130. Manuel Calvente (Sp), CSC, 7:32

131. Jaime Hernandez (Sp), Bianchi, 7:34

132. Bingen Fernandez (Sp), Cofidis, 7:40

133. Massimo Apollonio (I), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 7:42

134. Addy Engels (Nl), Rabobank, 7:43

135. Eladio Jimenez (Sp), iBanesto.com, 7:44

136. Alberto Vinale (I), Alessio, 7:46

137. Steven De Jongh (Nl), Rabobank, 7:46

138. Thomas Bruun (Dk), CSC, 7:46

139. Txema Del Olmo (Sp), Milaneza – MSS, 7:46

140. Aitor Garmendia (Sp), Bianchi, 7:47

141. Matthew White (Aus), U.S. Postal Service, 7:50

142. Gonzalo Bayarri (Sp), Phonak, 7:53

143. Guido Trenti (USA), Fassa Bortolo, 7:54

144. Sergio Perez (Sp), L2C, 7:54

145. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre, 7:57

146. Peter Farazjin (B), Cofidis, 7:58

147. Gerrit Glomser (A), Saeco, 8:01

148. Stefano Casagranda (I), Alessio, 8:04

149. Daniel Atienza (Sp), Cofidis, 8:06

150. Simone Masciarelli (I), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 8:07

151. Antonio Bucciero (I), Saeco, 8:08

152. Niki Aebersold (Swi), Phonak, 8:10

153. Karsten Kroon (Nl), Rabobank, 8:11

154. Angel Edo (Sp), Milaneza – MSS, 8:14

155. Carlos Golbano (Sp), ALM, 8:14

156. Julian Dean (NZl), CSC, 8:16

157. Matteo Tosatto (I), Fassa Bortolo, 8:16

158. David Lopez (Sp), L2C, 8:27

159. Giampaolo Cheula (I), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 8:28

160. Miguel Martin Perdiguero (Sp), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 8:28

161. Beat Zberg (Swi), Rabobank, 8:31

162. Jose Luis Rebollo (Sp), Relax, 8:36

163. Francisco José Lara (Sp), Bianchi, 8:38

164. Patrick Calcagni (Swi), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 8:39

165. Richard Virenque (F), Quick Step-Davitamon, 8:43

166. Volodymir Gustov (Ukr), Fassa Bortolo, 8:50

167. Davide Frattini (I), Alessio, 8:54

168. Mathew Hayman (Aus), Rabobank, 8:59

169. Gonçalo Amorim (P), Milaneza – MSS, 9:07

170. Francisco Cerezo (Sp), L2C, 9:12

171. Francisco Gutierrez (Sp), L2C, 9:12

172. Igor Pugaci (MDA), Saeco, 9:13

173. Andrea Brognara (I), Alessio, 9:16

174. Leonardo Piepoli (I), iBanesto.com, 9:18

175. David De La Fuente (Sp), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 9:19

176. Alessandro Bertolini (I), Alessio, 9:20

177. Cyril Dessel (F), Phonak, 9:21

178. Nacor Burgos (Sp), Relax, 9:42

179. Gorka Gerrikagoitia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 9:47

180. Pietro Zucconi (Swi), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 9:51

181. Christian Pepoli (I), Saeco, 10:10

182. Gustavo Otero (Sp), L2C, 10:14

183. José Javier Gomez Gozalo (Sp), L2C, 10:16

184. Sven Montgomery (Swi), Fassa Bortolo, 10:23

185. Joaquin Lopez (Sp), ALM, 10:36

186. Santiago Blanco (Sp), Relax, 10:57

187. Jorge Ferrio (Sp), ALM, 11:22

188. José Maestre (Sp), Relax, 14:33
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Overall Standings – after Stage 6 Time Trial
1. Isidro Nozal (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 15:04:37

2. Igor Glez. Galdeano (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 2:27

3. Manuel Beltran (Sp), U.S. Postal Service, 2:42

4. Klaus Möller (Dk), Milaneza – MSS, 4:16

5. Roberto Heras (Sp), U.S. Postal Service, 4:35

6. Dario Frigo (I), Fassa Bortolo, 4:36

7. Marcos Serrano (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 4:49

8. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), iBanesto.com, 5:02

9. Aitor Gonzalez (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 5:15

10. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 5:23

11. Angel Casero (Sp), Bianchi, 5:35

12. Aitor Osa (Sp), iBanesto.com, 5:55

13. Unai Osa (Sp), iBanesto.com, 6:10

14. Luis Perez (Sp), Cofidis, 6:13

15. Santos Gonzalez (Sp), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 6:14

16. Jan Hruska (Cz), ONCE – Eroski, 6:14

17. Juan Miguel Mercado (Sp), iBanesto.com, 6:17

18. Iker Flores (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 6:24

19. José Azevedo (P), ONCE – Eroski, 6:25

20. Carlos Torrent (Sp), ALM, 6:30

21. Félix Garcia Casas (Sp), Bianchi, 6:34

22. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 6:47

23. Alberto Martinez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 6:47

24. Floyd Landis (USA), U.S. Postal Service, 6:48

25. Michele Scarponi (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 7:07

26. Joaquin Rodriguez (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 7:08

27. David Etxebarria (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 7:10

28. Michael Rasmussen (Dk), Rabobank, 7:10

29. Patrick Sinkewitz (G), Quick Step-Davitamon, 7:14

30. Oscar Sevilla (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 7:26

31. David Latasa (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 7:29

32. Gorka Gonzalez (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 7:51

33. Bert Grabsch (G), Phonak, 7:56

34. Oscar Pereiro (Sp), Phonak, 8:04

35. Carlos Garcia Quesada (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 8:14

36. Benjamín Noval (Sp), Relax, 8:14

37. Angel Vicioso (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 8:16

38. Tom Boonen (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 8:20

39. Felix Cardenas (Col), L2C, 8:32

40. Pablo Lastras (Sp), iBanesto.com, 8:33

41. Michael Barry (Can), U.S. Postal Service, 8:44

42. Joan Horrach (Sp), Milaneza – MSS, 8:48

43. Francisco Vila (Sp), Lampre, 9:02

44. Guido Trentin (I), Cofidis, 9:17

45. José Luis Rubiera (Sp), U.S. Postal Service, 9:18

46. Kyryl Pospyeyev (Ukr), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 9:18

47. Juan Manuel Garate (Sp), Lampre, 9:42

48. Santiago Perez (Sp), Phonak, 9:58

49. Christian Werner (G), Telekom, 10:04

50. Txema Del Olmo (Sp), Milaneza – MSS, 10:06

51. Eladio Jimenez (Sp), iBanesto.com, 10:13

52. George Hincapie (USA), U.S. Postal Service, 10:25

53. Iñigo Cuesta (Sp), Cofidis, 10:33

54. Jurgen Van Goolen (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 10:35

55. Rafael Casero (Sp), ALM, 10:56

56. Benoit Joachim (Lux), U.S. Postal Service, 11:01

57. Peter Farazjin (B), Cofidis, 11:03

58. Cristian Moreni (I), Alessio, 11:27

59. Wladimir Belli (I), Lampre, 11:28

60. Juan Carlos Dominguez (Sp), Phonak, 11:31

61. José Gutierrez (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 11:37

62. Peter Luttenberger (A), CSC, 11:44

63. Igor Astarloa (Sp), Saeco, 11:50

64. Renato Silva (P), Milaneza – MSS, 12:12

65. Gorka Gerrikagoitia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 12:46

66. Francisco Cabello (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 12:50

67. Erik Zabel (G), Telekom, 13:05

68. Domingo Sanchez (Sp), ALM, 13:06

69. Frank Schleck (Lux), CSC, 13:23

70. Mariano Piccoli (I), Lampre, 14:18

71. Francisco Cerezo (Sp), L2C, 14:21

72. Carlos Golbano (Sp), ALM, 14:29

73. Pedro Cardoso (P), Milaneza – MSS, 14:39

74. Daniele Righi (I), Lampre, 14:59

75. Mario Aerts (B), Telekom, 15:04

76. Nicki Sorensen (Dk), CSC, 15:05

77. Jose Luis Rebollo (Sp), Relax, 16:01

78. Angelo Lopeboselli (I), Cofidis, 16:23

79. Addy Engels (Nl), Rabobank, 16:30

80. José Garcia Acosta (Sp), iBanesto.com, 16:37

81. Patrick Calcagni (Swi), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 16:44

82. Alex Zuelle (Swi), Phonak, 16:49

83. Pedro Horrillo (Sp), Quick Step-Davitamon, 17:27

84. Manuel Calvente (Sp), CSC, 17:33

85. José Jufre (Sp), Relax, 17:50

86. Constantino Zaballa (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 17:58

87. Raphael Schweda (G), Bianchi, 18:24

88. José Luis Arrieta (Sp), iBanesto.com, 18:24

89. Richard Virenque (F), Quick Step-Davitamon, 18:25

90. Bobby Julich (USA), Telekom, 18:26

91. Gorka Arrizabalaga (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 18:27

92. Unai Etxebarria (Vz), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 18:43

93. Miguel Martin Perdiguero (Sp), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 18:44

94. Thorsten Rund (G), Bianchi, 19:21

95. Bram Tankink (Nl), Quick Step-Davitamon, 19:26

96. Mathew Hayman (Aus), Rabobank, 19:30

97. Jaime Hernandez (Sp), Bianchi, 20:25

98. Torsten Hiekmann (G), Telekom, 20:27

99. Bekim Christensen (Dk), CSC, 20:29

100. Alexandre Usov (Blr), Phonak, 20:30

101. Steffan Wesemann (G), Telekom, 20:51

102. Francisco José Lara (Sp), Bianchi, 20:59

103. Denis Lunghi (I), Alessio, 21:11

104. Cesar Garcia Calvo (Sp), L2C, 21:14

105. Stephan Schreck (G), Telekom, 21:22

106. Gianpaolo Mondini (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 21:27

107. Mikel Pradera (Sp), ONCE – Eroski, 21:27

108. Iñaki Isasi (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 21:32

109. Angel Edo (Sp), Milaneza – MSS, 21:32

110. Aitor Garmendia (Sp), Bianchi, 21:32

111. Fabrizio Guidi (I), Bianchi, 21:40

112. Gonçalo Amorim (P), Milaneza – MSS, 21:50

113. Alessandro Petacchi (I), Fassa Bortolo, 21:57

114. Simone Masciarelli (I), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 22:01

115. Max Van Heeswijk (Nl), U.S. Postal Service, 22:08

116. David Navas (Sp), Relax, 22:12

117. Jörg Jaksche (G), ONCE – Eroski, 22:26

118. Jesus Maria Manzano (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 22:28

119. Paulo Barroso (P), Milaneza – MSS, 22:32

120. Matthew White (Aus), U.S. Postal Service, 22:39

121. Frank Vandenbroucke (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 22:47

122. Steven De Jongh (Nl), Rabobank, 22:57

123. Julian Dean (NZl), CSC, 23:27

124. Serguei Ivanov (Rus), Fassa Bortolo, 23:30

125. Jan Boven (Nl), Rabobank, 23:46

126. Daniel Atienza (Sp), Cofidis, 23:50

127. Leonardo Piepoli (I), iBanesto.com, 24:10

128. Alessandro Bertolini (I), Alessio, 24:20

129. David CaÑada (Sp), Quick Step-Davitamon, 24:33

130. Gustavo Otero (Sp), L2C, 24:34

131. Fabian Jeker (Swi), Milaneza – MSS, 24:40

132. Volodymir Gustov (Ukr), Fassa Bortolo, 24:43

133. Giovanni Lombardi (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 24:56

134. Matteo Tosatto (I), Fassa Bortolo, 25:02

135. Kurt Van De Wouwer (B), Quick Step-Davitamon, 25:12

136. Antonio Tauler (Sp), Kelme – Costa Blanca, 25:12

137. Ivan Herrero (Sp), L2C, 25:13

138. Francisco Gutierrez (Sp), L2C, 25:46

139. Jan Svorada (Cz), Lampre, 25:51

140. Andrea Brognara (I), Alessio, 26:19

141. Bingen Fernandez (Sp), Cofidis, 26:22

142. Gianluca Sironi (I), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 27:20

143. Guido Trenti (USA), Fassa Bortolo, 27:55

144. Karsten Kroon (Nl), Rabobank, 28:00

145. Nacor Burgos (Sp), Relax, 28:09

146. Fred Rodriguez (USA), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 28:46

147. Germán Nieto (Sp), Relax, 30:44

148. David Lopez (Sp), L2C, 31:26

149. Juan Fuentes (Sp), Saeco, 31:27

150. Oscar Laguna (Sp), Relax, 31:32

151. David Millar (GB), Cofidis, 31:48

152. Beat Zberg (Swi), Rabobank, 32:10

153. Alberto Vinale (I), Alessio, 32:11

154. Ronald Mutsaars (Nl), Rabobank, 32:31

155. Ruslan Ivanov (MDA), Alessio, 32:34

156. Pietro Zucconi (Swi), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 32:50

157. José Javier Gomez Gozalo (Sp), L2C, 33:07

158. Filippo Simeoni (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 33:35

159. José Luis Martinez (Sp), ALM, 34:00

160. Stefano Casagranda (I), Alessio, 34:10

161. Angelo Furlan (I), Alessio, 34:11

162. Thomas Bruun (Dk), CSC, 34:27

163. Simone Bertoletti (I), Lampre, 34:35

164. Massimo Apollonio (I), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 35:07

165. Roberto Laiseka (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 35:31

166. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Rabobank, 35:33

167. Jorge Ferrio (Sp), ALM, 35:48

168. Michael Sandstod (Dk), CSC, 36:13

169. Giampaolo Cheula (I), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 36:29

170. Antonio Bucciero (I), Saeco, 36:30

171. Gerrit Glomser (A), Saeco, 36:38

172. Dmitri Fofonov (Kaz), Cofidis, 36:47

173. Joaquin Lopez (Sp), ALM, 37:08

174. Rubens Bertogliati (Swi), Lampre, 37:26

175. Pedro Diaz Lobato (Sp), ALM, 37:44

176. David De La Fuente (Sp), Sidermec Vini Caldirola, 38:24

177. Juan José De Los Angeles (Sp), Fassa Bortolo, 39:19

178. Sergio Perez (Sp), L2C, 42:08

179. Cyril Dessel (F), Phonak, 42:30

180. Igor Pugaci (MDA), Saeco, 43:24

181. Niki Aebersold (Swi), Phonak, 44:15

182. Francesco Secchiari (I), Domina Vacanze – Elitron, 45:50

183. Davide Frattini (I), Alessio, 45:53

184. Gonzalo Bayarri (Sp), Phonak, 47:01

185. Sven Montgomery (Swi), Fassa Bortolo, 49:50

186. Santiago Blanco (Sp), Relax, 55:36

187. Christian Pepoli (I), Saeco, 57:34

188. José Maestre (Sp), Relax, 1:03:03