Please join us for live coverage of Stage 20 of the Vuelta a Espana, from approximately 8:45pm AEST.
Last night’s stage 19 showcased a cracking finish, where Belgian classics specialist, Philippe Gilbert held on for the stage win as a result of his vicious attack only 500m from the line.
However, if you think last night’s stage was great to watch then you are in for a very special treat tonight. Tonight’s stage is the penultimate stage of the Vuelta, and the last stage before the riders roll into Madrid as one.
If you hadn’t caught on already the red jersey holder at the end of tonight’s stage will win the Vuelta a Espana, and so there will be no holding back.
Alejandro Valverde of Movistar, who is 1:35 down on race leader Alberto Contador, will have plenty of opportunities to attack in his attempt to steal the red jersey, throughout what is a truly torturous stage.
The riders must face 3 Category 1 climbs along with a Category 2 climb in the middle, before they face the monster Bola del Mundo; an 11 km H category climb to the finish featuring a punishing average gradient of 8.6%.
Whatever the riders have left at the bottom of the Bola del Mundo will be spent up the climb, with the riders giving everything in what is the penultimate stage of the Vuelta a Espana.
On another note, Australian Orica GreenEdge rider Simon Clarke will be looking to hold onto his king of the mountains title during today’s stage.
The stage 4 winner only holds a slender, 2 point advantage over the current 3rd place in the Vuelta, Joaquim Rodriguez and will have to be at his absolute best to be able to wear the polka dot jersey as he rides into Madrid tomorrow.
So, after 3 weeks of tough, hard racing it has all come to this. Alberto Contador of Saxo Bank holds a 1:35 lead over countryman Alejandro Valverde, with Katusha rider, Joaquim Rodriguez in 3rd place, 2:21 down.
However Valverde and Rodriguez will leave nothing in the tank in their pursuit of Contador, in this last ditch attempt.
To ensure you don’t miss a beat of the stage that is set to crown the 2012 Vuelta a Espana champion, make sure you tune in from 8:45pm AEST for live, detailed and up to date coverage.
Tonight history will be made – and you wouldn’t want to miss that.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
So, after what has been without a doubt the most exciting cycling race this year, the strongest rider of them all Alberto Contador has come out on top. The 29 year old has faced challenge after challenge in this year's race, mostly from the likes of Valverde and Rodriguez but time and time again has reminded us of the brilliance we were missing throughout his doping ban. It is the Spaniard's 5th Grand Tour title, and one that he and we, will never forget. Thank you for joining me in my live coverage of Stage 20 of the Vuelta a Espana. Live blogging throughout the Tour of Spain has been a great experience, and loads of fun.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Here is barring disaster in tomorrow's final stage, the final standings of the general classification for this year's Vuelta a Espana with Alberto Contador coming out on top once again. 1 201 CONTADOR, Alberto STB 82h 14' 52'' 2 9 VALVERDE, Alejandro MOV + 1' 16'' 3 101 RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin KAT + 1' 37'' 4 181 FROOME, Christopher SKY + 10' 16'' 5 107 MORENO, Daniel KAT + 11' 29'' 6 161 GESINK, Robert RAB + 12' 23'' 7 91 TALANSKY, Andrew GRS + 13' 28'' 8 168 TEN DAM, Laurens RAB + 13' 41'' 9 71 ANTON, Igor EUS + 14' 01'' 10 4 INTXAUSTI, Beñat MOV + 16' 13'
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Here are the standings for today's stage: 1 106 MENCHOV, Denis KAT 4h 48' 48'' 2 185 PORTE, Richie SKY + 17'' 3 143 DE WEERT, Kevin OPQ + 42'' 4 31 KESSIAKOFF, Fredrik AST + 1' 16'' 5 76 SICARD, Romain EUS + 1' 39'' 6 121 CAPECCHI, Eros LIQ + 2' 30'' 7 12 BOUET, Maxime ALM + 2' 39'' 8 197 GESCHKE, Simon ARG + 3' 14'' 9 101 RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin KAT + 3' 31'' 10 9 VALVERDE, Alejandro MOV + 3' 56''
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
BREAKING: The results have come in with Alberto Contador all but sealing the 2012 Vuelta a Espana title, with a 1:16 lead after the stage. Valverde has held onto 2nd despite Rodriguez's great climbing in today's stage seeing him at 1:37 to Contador and 21 seconds to countryman, Alejandro Valverde.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Details on the general classification just a minute away....................
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Simon Clarke of Australia, the winner of the mountains classification has crossed the line. What a great effort from Clarke, and a great day for Australian cycling.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
BREAKING: ALBERTO CONTADOR HAS WON THE 2012 VUELTA A ESPANA! More details to follow.......
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Valverde has crossed the line, and now Contador!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez is hamming the pedals, and has just gone over the line.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Contador is losing contact with Valverde! He is giving it everything he can, and should still hold onto his red jersey for the Vuelta a Espana title.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Valverede has caught up with Contador! WOW! Will he hold onto 2nd place? Or has Rodriguez gained too much time?
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Menchov has made his move! He attacked Porte in the final few hundred metres and took the stage win by 18 seconds over the Australian. Well done Denis Menchov.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Only a few hundred metres to go for Porte and Menchov! Who will take the stage win? The crowd is roaring on Contador up the climb, with the noise some of the loudest you have ever heard! Unbeleivable scenes here!
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez is riding strongly, and has opened up a gap on Contador. If he keeps this hot pace going, he should overtake Valverde to take 2nd in the Vuelta.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Valverde has been dropped! Can Rodriguez capitalise and take 2nd place of the Vuelta?
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Rodriguez is driving the front hard, with only Valverde, Moreno and Contador sticking with him. Is an attack coming?
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
The peloton has been whittled down to about 10 riders, with not attacks being launched by Rodriguez or Valverde. Surely now Contador has the general classification wrapped up?
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
2km to go and Menchov and Porte are still side by side. Neither rider is showing signs of cracking yet, but surely 1 will soon? Who will it be?
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
The peloton have hit the climb to the finish, with the crowd roaring with noise.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Porte is pushing Menchov up the final parts of the climb, with Menchov grimassing to keep up. Can Porte become the 2nd Aussie to win a stage at this year's Vuelta?