Cardoso Shows Strong Sprint in Catalunya
Volta a Catalunya
Stage 2: Santa Coloma de Farners to Banyoles, 169.3km/105mi
By Cathy Mehl
Team RadioShack’s 27-year old Portuguese rider Manuel Cardoso found his sprinting legs to take third place on the 2nd stage of the Volta a Catalunya on Tuesday. Sprinting from a large group, Cardoso just missed the win behind Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-ISD) and Joaquín Rojas of Movistar. Latvian Gatis Smukulis (HTC-Highroad) held his race lead for a second day after a successful breakaway in the race opener on Monday.
“I was well positioned in the last k,” said Cardoso after the stage. “I was in the right wheel, Petacchi’s wheel, but with 300m to go I lost it because of a move by Dumoulin. I restarted my sprint and came back to Petacchi’s wheel. I tried to pass him to the left, between him and the barrier, but he closed the door in a professional (legal) manner.”
Team Director Jose Azevedo added, “Manuel did a very good sprint. He seemed to go faster than Petacchi. This result is good for him after a disappointing start of the season. But tomorrow isn’t for him. It’sa big uphill in Andorra, but in the other stages Manuel will get another chance.” In 2010 Cardoso won an uphill sprint stage in the Tour Down Under before an untimely crash and broken collarbone a month later set back his season. With over 30 race wins under his belt, Cardoso is no stranger to winning and with renewed confidence after today’s strong showing, he will be especially motivated to produce more results.
Jason and Manuel
A long break of four riders comprised the escape of the day with a lead of more than six minutes but the sprinters were determined to have their day and pulled back the leaders near the 20km to go mark. More attacks ensued but nothing was allowed to go up the road, bringing the field together to the finish line with Petacchi scoring the victory.
Wednesday is the Queen stage for the 100th edition of the Volta a Catalunya. The peloton races from La Vall d’en Bas/Sant Esteve D’en Bas to Andorra/Vallnord. The stage is 183.9km/114mi with the uphill finish at close to 2000m/6500ft in Andorra. With no time trial to influence final outcome in this year’s race, look for the pure climbers with form to make a strong push for the victory in the overall classification.
Levi and Christian Vande Velde have a chat
Top Ten Results
1 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD 4:11:08
2 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team
3 Manuel Antonio Leal Cardoso (Por) Team RadioShack
4 Nicolas Edet (Fra) Cofidis, Le Credit En Ligne
5 Aitor Galdos (Spa) Caja Rural
6 Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) Leopard Trek
7 Michel Kreder (Ned) Team Garmin-Cervelo
8 Thomas Peterson (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo
9 Valentin Iglinskiy (Kaz) Pro Team Astana
10 Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team
Team RadioShack Results
45 Christopher Horner (USA)
48 Jani Brajkovic (Slo)
50 Ivan Rovny (Rus)
87 Levi Leipheimer (USA)
94 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa)
110 Philip Deignan (Irl)
164 Jason McCartney (USA) 0:00:46
General Classification after Stage 2
1 Gatis Smukulis (Lat) HTC-Highroad 8:19:56
2 Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre - ISD 0:00:28
3 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Movistar Team
4 Jan Bakelandts (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
5 Thomas Peterson (USA) Team Garmin-Cervelo
6 Carlos Barredo Llamazales (Spa) Rabobank Cycling Team
7 Dario Cataldo (Ita) Quickstep Cycling Team
8 Jelle Vanendert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto
9 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Saxo Bank Sungard
10 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank Cycling Team
Team RadioShack on General Classification
23 Christopher Horner (USA)
36 Jani Brajkovic (Slo)
45 Levi Leipheimer (USA)
51 Ivan Rovny (Rus)
60 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa)
66 Philip Deignan (Irl)
142 Manuel Antonio Leal Cardoso (Por) 0:13:17
179 Jason McCartney (USA 0:15:00
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