September 9, 2011
Igor Antón has done it again! The rider of Euskaltel Euskadi took the 19th stage of the 66th Vuelta a España between Noja and Bilbao (158.5km) and wrote a new chapter in the history of his team and Orbea, as today marked the return of the big Spanish tour to the Basque Country after an absence of 33 years and the third orange victory in the three big races of 2011.
The man form Galdakao was happy to ride in his homeland, surrounded by fans, and surged to a solo victory after attacking in Alto del Vivero, where he left the other escapees behind. Antón won rolling hisOrbea Orca and took out of his mouth the bitter taste that had settled when he fell out of contention early in the race.
“It’s a dream come true! I’ve won in the ‘capital of the world.’ This victory means a lot. The crowd and my team were incredibly supportive; I really enjoyed it. I’m happy for what I’ve done in the Vuelta. I was targeting the overall victory but I’m learning, and I gave it all today,” he said, elated, at the finish line.
Antón finished in 3:53:34, 41 seconds faster than his fellow escapee, Italy’s Marzio Bruseghin (Movistar), and 1’33” ahead of the chasing group including overall leader Juan José Cobo, who would not allow the runner-up, British Chris Froome, succeed in his attacks. Cobo keeps a 13-second advantage on Froome.
Euskaltel Euskadi have scored victories in the three big races of the season. In addition to Antón’s victory –who won in the Giro too–, there was that of Mikel Nieve in the Giro, and Samuel Sánchez’s in the Tour de France. These results show the orange squad are performing great this season, and that they are part of the history of cycling.
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