Vuelta a Espana stage 19 brings out 33 year old memories as race goes through Basque country
The 157.9 kilometre stage 19 of the Vuelta a Espana 2011 made history on Friday as for the first time since 1978 organisers have managed to break the ice between the Basque country and the government. The Basque country group ETA who is fighting for the
independence of the country has announced the cease fire since September 2010 which has really eased the atmosphere around the area.
The last 100 kilometres of the stage were planned in Basque country as the stage finishes in Bilbao and the next stage 20th of the Vuelta a Espana will start from Bilbao. Organisers have made a good effort to maintain the peace and the sport will
certainly help the cause as Javier Guillen the general manager for Vuelta said, “It’s very important for the Vuelta to visit the Basque Country again after an absence of 33 years."
In 1978 two stages of Vuelta a Espana went through Basque country but it was a total disappointment as protestors blocked the roads and both the stages were affected. Moreover, the time trial stage in San Sebastian was also affected by the protests including
the political stress during the Giro di Padania is a clear indication of how politics can destroy the sport.
Javier further mentioned that Vuelta a Espana is very popular especially across Europe and it will help in minimising the differences. A Basque country journalist told a famous cycling website that there will be a group of people against the opposing the
race but one thing is certain that no one will try to block the race as Spanish football teams also have visited Basque on many occasions. Javier stated, “It's where Spanish cycling gets the best support in terms of quantity and quality. The Vuelta has to
go where cycling is popular. There’s an obvious link between the Vuelta and the Basque Country."
The stage 19 of the Vuelta a Espana concluded with the perfect ending as Basque national Igor Anton of team Euskaltel-Euskadi finished the stage at the first position in a total time of 3:53:34. Marzio Bruseghin of Movistar was 41 seconds behind as he finished
second with Dominik Nerz of Liquigas-Cannondale at third position.
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