Daniele Bennati wins the 18th stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2012
Daniele Bennati of Team RadioShack-Nissan opened his 2012 winning account after his heroic performance during the 18th stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2012.
The Italian completed the 204.5 kilometre stage in a total time of 4 hours, 17 minutes and 17 seconds and restricted his major opponents.
Ben Swift of Team Sky Procycling finished second with Allan Davis of Team Orica-GreenEdge, Lloyd Mondory of Team AG2R La Mondiale and John Degenkolb of Team Argos-Shimano claimed the next four positions respectively.
"I am really tired but very happy. This was hard work but it’s a special day. Four years ago Wouter won on this finish line and for sure today he was with me”.
“He was a good friend and good teammate and today I feel he gave me extra forces to win. I also thought of my grandfather today who passed on during training camp last winter. I dedicate this win to both of them".
“I’m happy for my teammates too. They worked all day and we were focused on this stage”.
Daniele Bennati of Team RadioShack-Nissan grabbed the maximum number of 25 points after the stage while Ben Swift of Team Sky Procycling and Allan Davis of Team Orica-GreenEdge achieved the next two spots with 20 and 16 points in the respectively.
Luis Angel Mate Mardones of Team Cofidis and Angel Vicioso Arcos of Team Katusha succeeded during the first and the second sprints of the race while Gatis Smukulis of Team Katusha received the most combative rider award.
Alberto Contador Velasco of Team Saxo Bank-Tinkoff Bank stays on the first spot after the stage 18 overall classifications.
He is leading the category with a margin of 1 minute and 52 seconds on Alejandro Valverde Belmonte of Team Movistar.
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver of Team Katusha, Christopher Froome and Daniel Moreno Fernandez claimed the third, the fourth and the fifth positions in the respective order.
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver holds the first overall position after the stage 18 points classifications with a total number of 170 points to his credit.
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte is at the second position with 159 points while Alberto Contador, John Degenkolb and Christopher Froome hold the third, fourth and the fifth positions respectively.
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