Vuelta a España 1999 - 19 Avila Vandenbroucke

Vuelta a España 1999 - 19, El Escorial - Avila, 190 kms.

P. Bernardo, Cat 1, 1230 metres, 18.7 kms long
Serranillos, Cat 1, 1570 metres, 9.2 kms long
Navalmoral, Cat 2, 1620 metres, 8.8 kms long

1 Frank Vandenbroucke (Bel) Cofidis 4.54.18
2 Mikel Zarrabeitia Uranga (Spa) ONCE .13
3 Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) Kelme .20
4 Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei .20
5 José M. Jimenez Sastre (Spa) Banesto .20
6 Jan Ullrich (Ger) Telekom .20
7 Igor Gonzalez Galdeano (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros .20
8 Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Banesto .24
9 William Chann McRae (USA) Mapei 1.55
10 José L. Rubiera Vigil (Spa) Kelme 1.55
11 Kurt van de Wouwer (Bel) Lotto 1.55
12 Andrei Zintchenko (Rus) Vitalicio Seguros 1.55
13 Aitor Osa Eizaguirre (Spa) Banesto 1.55
14 Inigo Chaurreau Bernadez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 1.55
15 Txema Del Olmo Zendegi (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 1.55
16 José Uria Gonzalez (Spa) Kelme 1.55
17 Manuel Beltran Martinez (Spa) Banesto 1.55
18 Ivan Parra (Col) Vitalicio Seguros 1.55
19 Santiago Blanco (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros 1.55
20 Miguel A. Martin Perdiguero (Spa) ONCE 2.28
21 Oscar Camenzind (Swi) Lampre 2.28
22 Viatcheslav Ekimov (Rus) Costa Almeria 4.48
23 Laurent Brochard (Fra) Lotus-Festina 4.48
24 Marcus Zberg (Swi) Rabobank 4.48
25 Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei 4.48
26 Geert van Bondt (Bel) TVM 4.48
27 Jon Odriozola Mugarza (Spa) Banesto 4.48
28 Quintino Fernandez Rodrigues (Por) Benfica 4.48
29 Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Saeco 4.48
30 Joona Laukka (Fin) Benfica 4.48

GC after Stage 19.

1 Jan Ullrich (Ger) Telekom 84.40.40
2 Igor Gonzalez Galdeano (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros 31
3 Roberto Heras (Spa) Kelme 2.16
4 José M. Jimenez Sastre (Spa) Banesto 3.01
5 Pavel Tonkov (Rus) Mapei 3.42
6 José L. Rubiera Vigil (Spa) Kelme 6.17
7 Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Banesto 6.23
8 Manuel Beltran Martinez (Spa) Banesto 6.37
9 Ivan Parra (Col) Vitalicio Seguros 10.44
10 Santiago Blanco (Spa) Vitalicio Seguros 11.20

Report:

Vandenbroucke "on song"

Belgium's Frank Vandenbroucke gave a hint of what might have been during today's 19th stage of La Vuelta a España. In the past few days, the recently reinstated rider from Cofidis has started to show the form that he had at the beginning of the season, prior to his suspension resulting from the "Sainz-Lavelot" affair. The World Championships are surely firm in this man's sights now.
The final mountain stage saw a group of roughly 25 riders form with 75 km to go on top of the first category Alto de Pedro Bernado. As the stage progressed, Vandenbroucke showed his strength, dropping all but six others on the final climb, the second category Puetro de Navamoral.

This group contained all of the top 5 riders in the overall standings, but notably absent were the likes of Manuel Beltran (Banesto) and Santiago Blanco (Vitalicio Seguros) who had succumbed to the Belgian's efforts.

He attacked inside the two kilometer to go mark, countering and passing ONCE rider Mikel Zarrabeita, and powered to the finish into Avila over the cobbles. Zarrabeita hung on to finish 2nd, 13 seconds back while the remainder of the group was led home by Kelme's Roberto Heras.

After his stage win three days ago, and his second place yesterday, Vandenbroucke was very happy with his form: "It's very encouraging to win another stage, my legs are in good shape. I've always said that the Tour is the best preparations for the world championships and also the last World Cup races. Those are now my objectives," he said.

Although it has been hard to restart his season after his team, Cofidis suspended him over allegations that he was involved in drug peddling, he has now regained his good form. "I just spent my time training," he said. "At first I only intended to ride the first few days in Spain because I was still not sure of my fitness for a long Tour. However I have felt better as the race has progressed," he added. Jan Ullrich finished in 6th spot, just in front of his rival, Spain's Igor Gonzalez Galdeano, and is looking strong for the overall win. Although he lost a little time yesterday, he described himself as completely recovered and is looking forward to tomorrow's 46 km ITT between El Tiemblo and Avila.

However, it should be remembered that Gonzalez Galdeano is not a bad time triallist himself, having won the Prologue in Murcia some 20 days ago. Ullrich can not afford to relax on this one.