Tony Martin wins tenth stage as Chris Fromme takes overall lead in Vuelta A Espana 2011
HTC-Highroad team’s Tony Martin continued his good performance by winning the tenth stage of Vuelta a Espana 2011 on Monday, August 30. Chris Froome of Sky takes overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The race started and finished in Salamanca. The 26-year-old German professional road bicycle racer took the total of 55 minutes and 54 seconds to cover the distance of 47 kilometres.
The race leader Christopher Froome of Sky Procycling was runner-up with 59 seconds down to Martin. Bradley Wiggins was in third place with the difference of 1 minute and 22 seconds.
Froome told the media, "We're in a very strong position with two riders so high up in the overall, I think we'd rather be where we are right now rather than trying to make up time. It's definitely not going to be easy to hold the lead, and I'll take it day
by day."
After catching both leading cyclists, Taylor Phinney was the first cyclists who finished the 47 kilometres course. Despite his performance, he grabbed fifth place with 1 minute and 33 seconds down to Martin.
Wiggins was the only rider who able to catch the Martina and held one second lead while Froome was 23 seconds down. After 30 kilometres, in the second time check Martin gained an advantage of 19 seconds over Wiggins.
However, Wiggins and Foorme worked well in the mountains and team Sky faced a small dilemma. But Martin increased his pace and managed to cross the finish line ahead of the other riders.
Christopher Froome took the overall standing with the timing of 38 hours, 9 minutes and 13 seconds. Jakob Fuglsang of Leopard Trek was runner-up with 12 seconds behind Froome.
He further added, "I can't believe I've gone into the leader's jersey, I wasn't really expecting that. I was just trying to stay in contention and be there along with Bradley Wiggins, the team leader. I just had a fantastic day and somehow I've ended up
in the leader's jersey. It's a dream come true."
Wiggins was in third spot with the difference of 20 seconds ahead of Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas-Cannondale.
After one day rest the next stage will run in Verín and finished in Estación de Montaña Manzaneda. All the cyclists will cover the distance of 171 kilometres.
Tags: