A foot in heaven and a foot in hell today for Cannondale Pro Cycling at the Vuelta a Espana. Daniele Ratto carried out a great feat with 150 km of breakaway (and 45 alone) in stage 14 (Baga-Collada de la Gallina, 155 km), one of the hardest both for the mountains both for the heavy rain and cold. The counterbalance is the suddenly withdraw of team leader Ivan Basso, who suffered of an acute crisis of hypothermia during the first descent from Puerto de Envalira.
For Ratto, today’s victory is the second in career after the one took in 2010 at the GP of Larciano. “Usually my chance to win a race came from a bunch sprint, not in mountain stage” said the winner. “I was in the breakaway to take advantage on the peloton and be able to help Ivan after the descents. Then the weather changed the development of the stage and became unpredictable. I felt good and I tried. I rode on my own too early but I was confident to maintain the gap thanks to the descents. Sometimes I risked but I had to do. The hardest moment was just before the final climb. I was tired and I also had cramps. Thanks also to my DS Mariuzzo from team car I was able to manage the last energies and to take this solo win. I’m really happy but, on the other hard, it’s jus a cold comfort after Ivan’s withdraw. Only after the arrival I knew about: I didn’t see him race so strong since much time”.
The withdraw of Basso from the Vuelta has been like a bolt from the blue for the team. During the descent, aided by the situation of the weather, Ivan got to shudder and became unable to ride the bike. At 4 km to the finish of the descent, he stopped at the side of the road, thanks also the support of his teammates who even helped him to brake, and was noticeably confused. When the team car arrived, he wasn’t able to release the handlebar: it was clearly impossible to continue.
“It’s the saddest day of my career” said Basso. “I feel really, really disappointed. I was feeling good and I was confident about next stages. This withdraw is real blow. I don’t know if it’s destiny or what else, but this season became awfully for me. I’m happy for the win of Daniele because it’s a boost of morale for my teammates. They did a great job for me until today and they deserve this success. Also today they didn’t leave me alone. For the umpteenth time I have to get up, but the wish to do it not miss”.
Stage 14 Brief Results:
- Daniele Ratto (Italy / Cannondale) 4:24:00″
- Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Astana) +3:53″
- Chris Horner (U.S. / RadioShack) +3:55″
- Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +4:11″
- Samuel Sanchez (Spain / Euskaltel) +4:19″
- Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Movistar) +4:43″
- Thibaut Pinot (France / FDJ.fr) +4:46″
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Italy / AG2R)
- Mikel Landa (Spain / Euskaltel) +5:17″
- Leopold Koenig (Czech Republic / NetApp) +5:21″
General Classification After Stage 14:
- Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Astana) 53:56:49″
- Chris Horner (U.S. / RadioShack) +50″
- Alejandro Valverde (Spain / Movistar) +1:42″
- Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +2:57″
- Domenico Pozzovivo (Italy / AG2R) +3:43″
- Nicolas Roche (Ireland / Saxo – Tinkoff) +4:06″
- Thibaut Pinot (France / FDJ.fr) +4:34″
- Leopold Koenig (Czech Republic / NetApp) +5:42″
- Daniel Moreno (Spain / Katusha) +6:28″
- Tanel Kangert (Estonia / Astana) +6:45″
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.