La Vuelta a España 2012 – Stage 17: Santander – Power 187.3 km

There were no ‘pistolero’ gestures into Santander – it wasn’t a moment for playing to the photo opportunity.

Just sheer joy of a man being back where he belongs – if you’ve taken the knocks and clawed back, then you’ll know that feeling.

Alberto Contador Velasco has taken the knocks; he was close to death in 2004 when he suffered a cerebral cavernoma during the Vuelta a Asturias; in 2009 he had to fight not only the other 21 teams in the race but also half of his own Astana team as Lance made his ill-starred return; and he had to watch as his name was crossed off last year’s Giro result as a result of a controversial ‘positive.’

A slight, wiry man, simpatico and approachable, he’s not a seeker of the limelight off the bike – but on that Specialized he’s a ruthless, killer.

When it became apparent that Rodriguez was having a post-rest day ‘blockage,’ as the red jersey struggled in the face of a flurry of early attacks, Contador exploited the situation immediately and with one goal in mind – to take that red jersey.

With 48 kilometres covered in the first hour the live TV feed kicked in with only 30-odd kilometres until the finish.

Contador was in the break with team mate, Sergio Paulinho.

The Portuguese is a quality rider with World U23 TT and Olympic Road Race medals to his name as well as stage wins in the Vuelta and Tour.

But when he gestured he was about to swing off, Contador was having none of it, barking at his team mate to stay put and give him the last drops.

The reason became clear soon after as Contador went for the sprint bonus – every second a prisoner in his race for red.

Only his amigo and former team mate Paolo Tiralongo could go with him – and remember that stage win ‘Bert’ gave him in 2011 at the Giro?

The wiry Italian gave his all for Contador; with the Saxo-Tinkoff team car rewarding the Astana man’s labours with a fresh bidon.

But once he was ‘empty’ Contador was away, solo without a backward glance.

Behind, Rodriguez didn’t look like the rider we’ve been watching for the last two weeks, I sent a text to Dan Fleeman; ‘has he sold it?’

Dan’s reply was succinct; ‘No chance!‘

Katusha have been paying 10,000 Euros a time to helicopter him off the mountain top finishes.

Plus he must be sick of podium finishes but not getting the win.’

The other thought I had was that perhaps his legs were ‘blocked’ after the rest day; Dave Chapman heard that Rodriguez didn’t go for a leg loosener on Tuesday.

Dan reckons;

“Blocked legs after the rest day is likely; but also a bit of complacency – this wasn’t expected to be a hard day.”

Whatever the reason, Rodriguez was completely isolated; initially he had Losada – but a man can only work at that level for so long…

Valverde was another of Contador’s victims; but he had help in the form of team mate Intxausti who had originally been in the break with the Saxo-Tinkoff man and ‘came back’ to his boss.

Valverde is another man who has no problems with a leader’s role; ‘Vamos!’ he yelled at his Intxausti as he sat on his team mate’s wheel.

Just like at Saxo-Tinkoff, you earn that big monthly salary on Movistar.

But despite Valverde’s best efforts, the day was all about Alberto Contador – untwisting his wiry frame like a spring being unleashed as he crossed the line, roaring with joy and revealing those perfect teeth of his.

Valverde took second place in Santander and the bonus which goes with it, just six seconds back, whilst Rodriguez trailed in tenth at 2’38”, not as bad as it could have been, but bad enough to drop to third on GC.

It was hard not to feel sympathy for the gallant Catalan, but the Grand Tours are a shark pool and whilst Contador may not look like Great White, he has the instincts of one, and more.

Let’s not say that the race is won, we said that about Rodriguez and look what happened.

But we can say that it will be very hard for anyone to wrest that red jersey from Contador and those skinny, self sacrificing animated skeletons he has around him.

And before we go, let’s have a look at what the Spanish Press has to say, courtesy of ‘our man in Havana’ – well, Alicante actually, Al Hamilton.

Sports daily, AS has gone with “Contador, for Eternity“;

“An historical exhibition by Alberto Contador, the Tour leader and virtual champion […]

“An offensive which reminds us of Hinault in 1983 and Perico Delgado in 1985.

“We must go back nearly thirty years in the history of the Vuelta to find an attack as risky as the counter attack which will eventually change the winner of the race.”

Marca headlines: “Contador le da la Vuelta“;

“‘I had a devil in my ear telling me to attack’ Alberto Contador said upon his arrival at Fuente Dé, where he won the stage and is now leader of the Vuelta, with today a day which will remain in the memory of all.”

It’s going to grim when the Vuelta ends on Sunday – thank goodness it’s only another week until the Worlds.

Thank you Alberto and commiserations and respect to you, Joaquim.

Hasta mañana.

Results - La Vuelta a España 2012 - Stage 17