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Hushovd delivers big win at Vuelta

September 02, 2010 - Filed under: TestTeam

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Cervélo TestTeam's Thor Hushovd (NOR) delivered an impressive victory after climbing over a short but steep climb late in Thursday's stage to come out on top at the Vuelta a España.

The Norwegian national champion arrived with an elite group of about 50 riders that also included Cervélo teammates Xavier Tondo, Carlos Sastre, Iñigo Cuesta and Xavier Florencio (all SPA). With solid team support, Hushovd won the bunch sprint to earn a trip to the winner's podium.

"I knew that the climb was good for me and I was very motivated for today's stage. I thought that sprinters like Farrar and Cavendish wouldn't be able to make it over, I would have a good chance at victory," Hushovd explained. "I was on the second or third wheel at the base of the climb and then I lost contact with about 1.5km to go, but then regained contact on the descent. My teammates did a great job and they all started to ride for me. I am very happy to win."

Hushovd out-kicked Daniele Bennati (ITA) to claim Cervélo's first victory so far in the 2010 Vuelta.

Overnight leader Philippe Gilbert (BEL) also finished in the lead group to retain the leader's jersey. Tondo and Sastre retained their GC positions, at seventh and 21st, and did not lose ground to the favorites.

"Hushovd is amazing. He picked this stage out of the road book and said, ‘I am going to win this one,'" Tondo said after the stage. "We were all there working for him, but to tell the truth, he didn't much help. He was very strong on the climb and then he knew exactly what to do in the sprint. I wish I could pick stages like that."

Hushovd, Sastre and Tondo were in excellent position near the nose of the action on the lower parts of the climb of the short, but steep Cresta del Gallo climb, which climbed 300 vertical meters on the outskirts of Murcia.

The day's main breakaway was swept up halfway up the climb as the main pack set a brutal pace up the narrow road.

Cuesta also proved he's motivated to help the team at every moment. The veteran Spanish rider, starting his record 17th Vuelta, said the stage unfolded exactly as they hoped.

"We wanted to achieve two things today: help Thor win the stage and keep Carlos and Xavier protected," Cuesta explained. "We managed to pull them both off, so we are very satisfied with this stage. These stages are nervous, on small roads, but we got through it OK."

Grand tour rookie Oscar Pujol (ESP) has some interesting company during this Vuelta. His father, Carlos Pujol, is a masseur on the Katusha team.

"It's nice to see him at the race, but the truth is we are both very busy during the race that we hardly see each other," Pujol said. "Sometimes we see each other before the start or stay in the same hotel. He's always giving me advice."

The 65th Vuelta continues Friday with the 187.1 km seventh stage from Murcia to Orihuela. The rolling course features a moderate climb at 126 km that could give the stage-hunters some hope of fending off the sprinters.

Vuelta a España Stage 6 Results: Caravaca de la Cruz - Murcia 151.0 km
1st Thor Hushovd (NOR) 3:36:20 41.88 km/h (26.02 mph)
2nd Daniele Bennati (ITA) s.t.
3rd Grega Bole (SLO) s.t.
4th Allan Davis (AUS) s.t.
5th Filippo Pozzato (ITA) s.t.

55th Xavier Tondo (ESP) s.t.
64th Xavier Florencio (ESP) s.t.
67th Íñigo Cuesta (ESP) s.t.
70th Carlos Sastre (ESP) s.t.
96th Oscar Pujol (ESP) +2.09
141st Stefan Denifl (AUT) +10.31
176th Theo Bos (NED) +12.31
187th Philip Deignan (IRL) s.t.

General Classification after Stage 6:
1st Philippe Gilbert (BEL) 22:36:26 38.82 km/h (24.12 mph)
2nd Igor Anton (ESP) +0.10
3rd Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP) s.t.

7th Xavier Tondo (ESP) +0.49
21st Carlos Sastre (ESP) +2.15
35th Íñigo Cuesta (ESP) +4.09
62nd Xavier Florencio (ESP) +15.12
71st Oscar Pujol (ESP) +18.24
126th Thor Hushovd (NOR) +40.36
156th Stefan Denifl (AUT) +50.30
165th Philip Deignan (IRL) +53.13
181st Theo Bos (NED) +57.56

6 responses for this Entry

THY says:

September 03, 2010

As I said on the forum:

The god of thunder does it again!

Amazing teamwork by Inigo, Florencio Cabre and Xavier Tondo in the last K's!

Globalhab says:

September 02, 2010

Thorrrrrrrrrr!!!!! Hushovddddd!!!! Merci beaucoup. Way to go Team Cervelo. Thor you make it look it easy. Going riding, will beat the pants off of my clubs Cavendish look a like. In your face Cav. Go Thor, go.

THE Bionic Cyclist says:

September 02, 2010

Amazing performance of Thor. BIG congrats!!

His "red bike" is by the way decorated in the Norwegian colors red white and blue. Thor is the reigning Norwegian National road champion. I`ve heard rumors that the S3 will be available in these colors for 2011. I hope they are true.

www.thebioniccyclist.com

HAWK says:

September 02, 2010

That Red bike is wicked, hope it's the new 2011 colours!!

Darren (Sint Niklaas, Belgium) says:

September 02, 2010

It's great, just great, to see Thor back in action!!! I was dancing around the house after seeing him win!!! Even said to my wife in the last 4km, "Look, Cervelo riders at the front of the peloton! They're setting up for Thor!" And then pasta spewed out of my face as I shouted "Yeah!" when he crossed the line! Yeah, I know, fuc%ed in the head! I then went out for a 60km training ride with the club, putting on a blistering pace as my way of honouring Thor! And I'll gladly do it again! Looking forward to the next win so I can practice my food-spewing skills!!!

Scott says:

September 02, 2010

What is that all red bike Thor is on?