TEAM LIQUIGAS DOMINATED the closing kilometres of the Vuelta a Espana’s sixth stage, but in spite of a commanding performance and eventual evictory, their day ended in acrimony and public in-fighting.
Using the unrivalled descending ability of team leader Vincenzo Nibali to split the peloton on the final descent into Córdoba, Liquigas approached the finish line with no fewer than four riders in the leading group of five.
Perhaps having grown complacent in the face of what should have been a routine victory, the group hesitated in organising a train for Nibali, allowing Movistar’s Pablo Lastras to attack. Peter Sagan, the youngest rider in this year’s peloton, saw the danger and, in a bid to prevent Lastras from seizing the valuable 20-second bonus that comes with a stage win, outsprinted the Spaniard to take the victory.
Nibali, whose General Classification hopes would have improved immeasurably on the taking the stage, gestured angrily as he crossed the line in fourth place.
Quickstep’s Sylvain Chavanel retains the leader’s red jersey over Daniel Moreno and Nibali heading into the race’s seventh stage. Irish hopefuls Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche enjoyed a largely uneventful day and remain side-by-side in the GC rankings, in 24th and 25th place, respectively.
