Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver wins the 12th stage of the Vuelta a Espana 2012
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver of Team Katusha claimed his second victory at the Vuelta a Espana after a remarkable effort during the stage 12 of the race.
The cyclist was challenged by Alberto Contador throughout the 190.5 kilometre chase to Mirador de Ezaro but he managed to restrict the Spaniard at the second spot.
Rodriguez took a total time of 4 hours, 24 minutes and 32 seconds and occupied the top podium position with Alberto falling 8 seconds short at the second position.
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte of Team Movistar, Robert Gesink of Team Rabobank and Christopher Froome of Team Sky Procycling occupied the third, the fourth and the fifth positions in the respective order.
Rodriguez was leading the stage 11 classifications with a minor lead of 1 second over Contador and his victory on Thursday has really helped in strengthening his overall lead.
It is the second consecutive time Contador has fallen short of a stage win and he is now 13 seconds behind Team Katusha cyclist at the second position.
Froome remains at the third spot but the deficit has now increased to 51 seconds with Alejandro Valverde and Robert Gesink at the fourth and the fifth positions respectively.
Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau of Team Euskaltel-Euskadi and Amael Moinard of Team BMC won the 128.4 kilometre first and 156.7 kilometre second sprints of the event.
Rodriguez also leads the point’s classifications with as many as 119 points to his credit while Alejandro Valverde (106 points), John Degenkolb (103 points), Alberto Contador (86 points) and Christopher Froome (79 points) occupies the next four positions.
Top 10 cyclists after the stage 12 classifications are as below,
1
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha Team
44:50:35
2
Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank - Tinkoff Bank
0:00:13
3
Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky Procycling
0:00:51
4
Alejandro Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team
0:01:20
5
Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
0:02:59
6
Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha Team
0:03:29
7
Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale
0:04:22
8
Andrew Talansky (USA) Garmin - Sharp
0:05:17
9
Laurens Ten Dam (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
0:05:18
10
Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
0:06:01
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