Share

Cobo claims Vuelta double

Angliru - Spain's Juan Jose Cobo powered away six kms from the summit of his country's toughest single climb, the Angliru, to claim victory in Sunday's 15th stage and the overall Tour of Spain lead.

After attacking where the single-track road looped its way up a mist-enshrouded cliffside, the Geox rider gained 48 seconds on Dutchman Wout Poels and Russia's Denis Menchov.

Nicknamed "the Bison", Cobo crossed the finish line on desolate moorland waving the little finger and thumb of his right hand like bison horns as a victory gesture.

Overnight leader Bradley Wiggins of Britain received strong assistance from Sky team-mate Chris Froome but suffered on ramp-like slopes that rose over 23 percent in places.

With six stages left, Cobo leads by 20 seconds from Froome, with Wiggins now third overall at 46 seconds.

Cobo, 30, said he had planned a later attack but had opted to charge away when he saw the rest of the field were suffering.

"It was a long way from the finish on such a steep climb, but I felt very good," he told reporters.

"Over the radio my directors kept on telling me to stay calm and that I would have a chance.

"For sure this is the biggest victory of my career."

Cobo, who suffered from depression for the first six months of the year and had even thought of giving up racing altogether, reaped the rewards of sticking with his sport.

"I finally turned things around with the support of the team," he said. "It was a difficult time but this is the reward for my perseverance."

Cobo, 10th in the Vuelta in 2009 when he won a mountain stage in the sierras of Madrid, was not at all confident he could hold on to win the race which finishes on Sept. 11.

"Sky are second and third overall and I'm sure this isn't the end of the road for them," he said.

"There's a steep mountain top finish next Wednesday and then two hard stages in the Basque Country. It's not over yet."

Results from the 15th stage of the Tour of Spain, held over 142.2km from Aviles to the summit of the Angliru on Sunday:

1. Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (ESP/GEO) 4h01min 56sec
2. Wout Poels (NED/VAC) at 0:48.
3. Denis Menchov (RUS/GEO) 0:48.
4. Chris Froome (GBR/SKY) 0:48.
5. Bradley Wiggins (GBR/SKY) 1:21.
6. Igor Anton (ESP/EUS) 1:21.
7. Joaquin Rodriguez (ESP/KAT) 1:35.
8. Maxime Monfort (BEL/LEO) 1:35.
9. Bauke Mollema (NED/RAB) 1:35.
10. Serguey Lagutin (UZB/VAC) 1:35.
11. Daniel Martin (EIR/GRM) 1:41.
12. Fabio Duarte (COL/GEO) 1:52.
13. Mikel Nieve (ESP/EUS) 2:02.
14. Jurgen Van den Broeck (BEL/OLO) 2:17.
15. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/LIQ) 2:37.
16. Jakob Diemer Fuglsang (DEN/LEO) 2:43.
17. Daniel Moreno (ESP/KAT) 2:43.
18. Oliver Zaugg (SWI/LEO) 2:43.
19. Sergio Pardilla (ESP/MOV) 3:01.
20. Amets Txurruka (ESP/EUS) 3:22.

Overall standings:

1. Juan Jose Cobo (Spain / Geox) 59hrs 57mins 16secs
2. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) +20"
3. Bradley Wiggins (Britain / Team Sky) +46"
4. Bauke Mollema (Netherlands / Rabobank) +1:36"
5. Maxime Monfort (Belgium / Leopard) +2:37"
6. Denis Menchov (Russia / Geox) +3:01"
7. Jakob Fuglsang (Denmark / Leopard) +3:06"
8. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Liquigas) +3:27"
9. Jurgen Van den Broeck (Belgium / Omega Pharma-Lotto) +3:58"
10. Wout Poels (Netherlands / Vacansoleil) +4:13"
11. Daniel Moreno (Spain / Katusha) +4:32"
12. Mikel Nieve (Spain / Euskaltel) +4:50"
13. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +5:17"
14. Sergio Pardilla (Spain / Movistar) +5:56"
15. Chris Sorensen (Denmark / Saxo Bank) +6:08"
16. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Garmin) +6:42"
17. Sergey Lagutin (Uzbekistan / Vacansoleil) +7:50"
18. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Belgium / Quick-Step) +8:02"
19. Marzio Bruseghin (Italy / Movistar) +9:13"
20. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R) +9:16"

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1472 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2251 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE