The Alto del Castillo (3rd category climb) comes 12km from finish, where it could prove problematic with its 4km of steady ascent, reaching 6OO M altitude.

The wind, while not violent, will be a factor as it's a 3/4 tailwind.

Tomorrow it's likely to be a more dangerous factor.

This stage, again traversing "La Mancha", has a tendency to break the peloton apart, particularly in the final phases following the rapid descent of the Alto del Castillo.

With 120km left (out of 162), peloton rolling rapidly, many escapes attempted.

Petacchi expected to seek his revenge on Zabel after passing final alto.

With no time of quiet, the racers mount escapes in groups of 10,12 or 14, but are overtaken on straighaways.

The peloton continues to exert great pressure on all breakaway groups.

Several riders succeed in putting some distance on the peloton--some of them already familiar names in this tour:

Hincapie
U. Etxebarria
Angelo Lopebozelli
Jurgen Van Goolen
Niki Aebersold
Aitor Osa
Lunghi
Guidi
Calvo
Noval

Kelme team at head of peloton.

Van Goolen attempts escape from group, as peloton closes in. Calvo follows suit. Both are reeled in.

Michael Stanstod advances on peloton alone.

Spanish teams reluctant to allow large escape that would affect team classifications; peloton more relaxed as regards solitary, non threatening riders.

Major sprinters' teams seem unable to get into advantageous position nearing finish.

Sandstod caught up by peloton at 42.5km.

Lobato (Patertina) escapes in turn.

Fast pace maintained. In fact, this tour's average speed of 41.718 km/h is 2nd fastest ever.

8 riders now out in front group; 3 riders in intermediate group at 36km from finish:

Sevilla
Grabsch
Blanco

Atienza leaves peloton to chase the 3.

Intermediary sprint passed.

Kelme rider in lead group hanging back to help Sevilla.

Among the 14 riders now in lead group:

Sevilla
Blanco
Grabsch
Kroon
Lobato
Zaballa
D. Etxebarria
Farasin
Rubiera
Silva
Casagranda
Santos Gonzalez
Jaekmann

Sanstod (again) & Bruun form distance of 11" on peloton, then are re taken.

Lead group has 45" on peloton.

Distance shrinks to 30" before swelling to 50" at the 20km mark.

Race enters Cuenca, 3km from final ascent.

S. Gonzalez leaves group, D. Etxebarria follows suit.

From behind, Valverde catches the remainder of escape group...all are caught by peloton, consisting of 25 riders.

Valverde & Pereiro attack,& fade back.

Kroon & Jaekmann between leaders & peloton, subsequently caught.

The 2 leaders, Etxebarria & Gonzalez, have 40" advance.

Just 18" behind are Rubiera, Blanco & Sevilla, who have 27" on the peloton.

The peloton is being led by a confident Team Telocom, working for their sprinter.

Now 30" between leaders & peloton.

At 2km a 15" margin remains.

Petacchi absent from lead peloton.

Approaching 1km mark, only 5" seperate 2 leaders from peloton. Etxebarria puts on desperate surge, followed by Gonzalez.

At 500 M, the peloton overcomes the 2, launches sprint.

Zabel holds off charge of Boonen to win stage by 10cm.

le classement de l'étape

1 - ZABEL
2 - BOONEN
3 - EDO
4 - VALVERDE
5 - MANCEBO
6 - GORKA GONZALEZ
7 - CASAGRANDA Stefano
8 - HINCAPIE
9 - JUFRE
10 - RASMUSSEN


Le classement Général

1 - NOZAL
2 - GONZALEZ de GALDEANO à 1' 48"
3 - BELTRAN à 3' 3"
4 - FRIGO à 3' 5"
5 - HERAS à 3' 28"

Le classement des grimpeurs

1 - CARDENAS
2 - OSA aitor
3 - HORRACH
4 - PEREZ
5 - JUFRE

Le classement des points

1 - ZABEL 97 points
2 - VALVERDE 81
3 - PETACCHI 76
4 - NOZAL 62
5 - Unai ETXEBARRIA

Le classement du Combiné

1 - VALVERDE 16
2 - NOZAL 17
3 - PEREZ 22
4 - CARDENAS 23
5 - RASMUSSEN 26

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Vue d'helicoptère de la Cité de Cuenca