 Heras sealed a memorable home victory |
Spaniard Roberto Heras scored an emphatic victory in stage 12 of the Tour of Spain on Thursday. The win was enough for the defending champion to take the leader's jersey and a firm grip on the race.
He took off seven and a half kilometres from the end of the 145km stage from Almeria to Calar Alto for the eighth Tour of Spain stage win of his career.
The Liberty Seguros rider came home alone ahead of fellow Spaniards Santiago Perez and Francisco Mancebo.
Stage 12 results:
1. Roberto Heras (Spa) Liberty Seguros 4hrs 19mins 30secs
2. Santiago Perez (Spa) Phonak @ 0.34secs
3. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Banesto @ 0.53
4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) CV-Kelme @ 1min 27secs
5. Isidro Nozal (Spa) Liberty Seguros @ same time
6. Angel Gomez (Spa) Costa De Almeria-Paternina @ 1min 38secs
7. Luis Perez (Spa) Cofidis @ same time
8. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Nobili Rubinetterie @ 2min 2secs
9. Peio Arreitunandia (Spa) Cafes Baque @ 2min 17secs
10. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC @ 2min 28secs
Overall standings:
1. Roberto Heras (Spa) Liberty Seguros 44hrs 50mins 50secs
2. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Banesto @ 0.35 secs
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) CV-Kelme @ 49secs
4. Isidro Nozal (Spa) Liberty Seguros @ 1min 12secs
5. Floyd Landis (US) US Postal @ 2min 19secs
6. Manuel Beltran (Spa) US Postal @ 2min 40secs
7. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC @ 3min 16secs
8. Santiago Perez (Spa) Phonak 4min 22secs
9. Angel Gomez (Spa) Costa De Almeria-Paternina 5min 7secs
10. David Blanco (Spa) CV-Kelme @ 6min 12secs
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 