Juan Jose Haedo wins 16th stage as Cobo Acebo retains lead in Vuelta A Espana 2011
Saxo Bank-Sungard team’s Juan Jose Haedo won the bunch sprint of the 16th stage of Vuelta a Espana 2011 in Palencia on Tuesday, September 6. Spaniard, Juan Jose Cobo Acebo maintained his overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The cyclists seemed confused in the final kilometres, Wagner took a wrong turn and he made a move on the right side instead of following the race route on the left. However, this confusion allowed Haedo to jump away and cross the distance of 180 kilometres
in 4 hours, 41 minutes and 56 seconds.
Leopard Trek’s directeur sportif Luca Guercilena explained, "Unfortunately due to tiredness and the chaotic nature of a finish, Robbie [Robert Wagner] followed the motorbike right around the roundabout instead of heading left towards the finish.”
Alessandro Petacchi of Lampre-ISD was runner-up with same timing as Haedo and Daniele Bennati of Leopard Trek finished third ahead of Vicente Reynes Mimo.
When the flag dropped, Julien Fouchard (Cofidis) increased his pace and jumped clear with the two cyclists, including Jesus Rosendo and Antonio Cabello. After 40 kilometres, they managed to gain a lead of 8 minutes and 30 seconds.
Fabian Cancellara (Leopard Trek) thundered after 30 kilometres to the front of the bunch. Fabian planned to catch while Rosendo launched an attack and left his breakaway companion. When a crash held up a number of cyclists and Rodriguez was able to hold
his pace but in the final stint he made a wrong move and Haedo crossed the line without any difficulty.
After finishing the stage Haedo told the media, "I came into the Vuelta with a lot of confidence but I have not had a chance after my early fall. It was a weird finish that I managed to go on the correct side. I was lucky to get through, I came round after
those in front went the wrong way and got through."
Cobo Acebo took the overall standing with a timing of 64 hours, 39 minutes and 14 seconds while Froome was runner-up at 22 seconds down to the Spaniard. Bradley Wiggins finished third with a difference of 51 seconds.
The next stage will start in Faustino V and end in Peña Cabarga as all the cyclists will cover the distance of 212.5 kilometres.
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