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Race report: Late round-about derails Haussler’s chances in final sprint

September 07, 2011 - Filed under: Team Garmin-Barracuda

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Heinrich Haussler got caught behind riders who went the wrong way in a traffic circle within the final kilometer of Tuesday’s 16th stage at the Vuelta a España and could not challenge for victory.

Argentine rider JJ Haedo turned left and won the stage while a handful of riders accidentally went the wrong way and derailed Haussler’s chances to challenge in the sprint.

“Why did they put a round-about 300 meters to go? Some guys went the wrong way, I don’t know where they were going,” Haussler said at the line. “They didn’t read the race book and they went right and I couldn’t make the corner.”

Garmin-Cervélo collaborated with the other sprinter teams in the closing hour of racing to help reel in a three-man breakaway to set up the mass sprint.

Dan Martin avoided trouble in the relatively easy stage to slot into 15th overall at 6:47 back.

“I am feeling a bit happier about my legs. I am not flying, I still got two weeks to freshen up before [October.] It’s pretty hard at this Vuelta,” Haussler said. “Today was perfect. It was like the old days. Flat, easy, sitting in the bunch, good roads, but then they had to make a stupid finish like that.”

Andrew Talansky took pulls at the front to help set up the sprint and then rolled across the line, one day closer to Madrid.

“It was 150km of easier roads. It got hard at the end when I went to the front to pull to chase down the breakaway,” Talansky said.

“I was glad that we eased into the racing today. I really struggled after the last rest day when we straight into the mountains. It’s all about learning and making it to Madrid. Tomorrow will be a hard day.”

The 66th Vuelta continues Wednesday with the 211km 17th stage from the Faustino V vineyards and ends atop the short but steep climb to Peña Cabarga. It could be a good opportunity for Dan Martin to try to win another stage.