Vincenzo Nibali Wins Vuelta a España

Vicenzo Nibali (Liquigas) today became only the fifth Italian to triumph in Spain in the 75-year history of the Vuelta a España, the last being Marco Giovanetti in 1990.

With the right hand on the heart and nearly crying, Vincenzo Nibali listened Italy’s national anthem while being on the top of the podium in Madrid. He now has his first grand tour victory, achieving it at 25 years old.

Ezequiel Mosquera, 34 years old, enjoyed his first podium, finishing 41 seconds behind Nibali. "I want to be at home, to be relaxed with my family and enjoy a good meal with friends", he said. Mosquera confirmed at the end of the stage that next year he will be part of a foreign team, possibly Vacansoleil.

The podium was been completed by Peter Velits the revelation of this Vuelta a España. Also 25 years old, he was was the under-23 world champion in 2007.

Nibali thanked everyone. To his team: "All my teammates were close to me, and when I think what a champion like Kreuziger did for me, forsaking his own dreams to help me make mine come true..." His opponents: "Today was a procession, from a great old champion like Carlos Sastre, a role model in life and cycling, to Ezequiel Mosquera, who on the final climb, the Bola del Mundo, almost killed me." To Ivan Basso: "This year I've learned so much from him, about racing, competing, staying focused, about always being in the first 10 in the group." To his "Cannibals":"What my fan club does is incredible. They're not fans, they're real friends."

Nibali has little time to rest on his laurels, he leaves tomorrow for Australia as part of the Italian national team competing in the World Championships.

Photos: on the podium Mosquera, Nibali, Velits (by Bettini); finish line photo at Bola del Mumdo (by Sirotti)

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New Leader's Jersey for Vuelta a España

A new leader's jersey, now red, for the the Vuelta a España has been designed by Spanish fashion designer Custo Dalmau. The Vuelta a España will be celebrating its 75h Anniversary this year.

The metaphor between the cheetah, the fastest animal in the world, and the cyclist has been the inspiration for Dalmau. Meanwhile, Javier Guillen, director of the Vuelta said, "It's a different leader's jersey of that of the Giro pink and yellow of the Tour, and to the fans that identifies the international success of Spanish sport, whether soccer, basketball, tennis or any other sport. The seventy-fifth anniversary of the Vuelta is a special commemoration and this is a special garment from a designer at the international level."

Spanish fan reaction has been, let's say, less than enthusiastic.

Over these past 75 years, the world and cycling have changed a great deal. That first edition held 75 years ago had 14 stages, almost all of which were over 250 kms long. The 75th “Platinum” edition will have 21 stages averaging 170 kms. A considerable difference aimed at being a spectacular event with shorter stages and fast-paced sprints to the finish line.

I was surprised how few Italians have won the Vuelta since it began in 1935, only four riders:
1956 Angelo Conterno, Bianchi-Pirelli
1968 Felice Gimondi, Salvarani
1981 Giovanni Battaglin, Inoxpran
1990 Marco Giovannetti, Seur

The Vuelta a España 2010 will begin in Sevilla August 28th with an evening time trial which will premiere the new leader's jersey.

Photo: Custo Dalmau/Barcelona unveiling the new red leader's jersey

Stories for the Italian Cycling Journal about rides, granfondo, having a good time cycling in Italy, Italian cycling history, etc. are very welcome. Contact me at veronaman@gmail.com. There are more than 1,100 stories in this blog. The search feature to the right works best for finding subjects in the blog and there is also a translate button at the bottom so you can translate each page.