Denis Menchov wins in Spain

Daniele Bennati took final stage spoils

Rabobank’s Denis Menchov wins the Vuelta a Espana. The 29-year-old claimed his second win of the Grand Tour as it came to a close in Madrid last Sunday.

Demonstrating his all-round ability, the Russian was supreme in the mountains, and strong enough in the time trials, to gift him his second win of the race.

Of course, his first Vuelta victory in 2005 only came about after Roberto Hera was removed from the results following doping investigations.

Menchov eased into a winning position when, on the first mountain stage, the rider made up two-minutes on his nearest rivals. The Rabobank rider only scored one stage victory during the race, but it came the following day on another tough stage through the mountains.

“This is the biggest success of my career,” Menchov said following his win. Team mate Koos Moerenhout had full confidence in his team leader, saying, “Denis is always a little reserved but surely he must have quickly figured out that he was clearly the best man in the tour. We as his team-mates certainly did; he was sharp, alert and on the lookout for attacks, and he did not worry.

The final stage tussle went to Daniele Bennati, with Alessandro Petacchi in second.

GC