The 140 km 2nd stage of the Vuelta, between Gijon and Cangas de Onis, was decided on the Alto Mirador Del Fito, a category 1 climb known as " El Fito ", in the last 20 km of today's race.

In mid course 4 riders, soon reduced to 3, escaped the peloton and led by as much as 2 minutes (Zaballa of Kelme, Calvo of Labarca-2 Café Baque, & Pepoli of Saeco).

After marking points in both the mountain and sprint categories, they were swallowed up by the peloton at 45 km from the finish .
Meanwhile, the peloton divided itself into 2 distinct groups; the 2nd group soon found itself outdistanced, and many hopeful contenders found themselves boxed in.

At 30 km from the finish the divide was 1' 30", and would become more important as the race progressed , leaving some a full 17 minutes off the mark at the finish. Among those trapped in the 2nd group were Rubiera & White of U.S. Postal, David Canada of Quick Step, Leipheimer of Rabobank, David Millar of Cofidis, Juan Antonio Pecharroman and many others.

At 28 km from the finish "El Fito" began its ascent, reaching an 11 degree pitch. Midway to the summit Luis Perez (Cofidis) and Carlos Sastre (CFC) broke away, attaining a 30" lead at the summit, 16.8 km from the finish.

The two leaders were pursued by 4 riders (Nozal, Scarponi, Osa & D. Etxeberria), but always maintained their distance.

At 12 km Perez & Sastre he'ld a 22" lead; at 9 km it was 18". With 5 km to go it was clear that one of the two Spanish riders, old friends, would prevail. Sastre, who imposed at Ax- 3 domains in the Pyrénées in this year's Tour De France, held a slight lead going into the last 500 meters, when the race evolved into an all out sprint.
With 30 meters to go Perez muscled his way into the lead to take it by 2 bicycle lengths (15" ahead of the nearest group).

In the overall classifications the top 10 finishers were all from the top 3 teams in yesterday's opening team time trial (that is, Once, U.S. Postal & Ibanesto), with Joaquin Rodriguez wearing the overall leader's Gold Jersey .

A mere 11" separates Rodriguez from 6th place Roberto Heras, and 25" from 10th place Miguel Marcado.
Stage winner Luis Perez scored important points in today's first major climb to capture the King of the Mountains Jersey, while overall leader Joaquin Rodriguez also leads the points competition.

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Stage classification

1÷48 Luis PEREZ Cofidis 3: 27: 32

2÷ 191 SASTRE, Carlos ESP CSC m.t.
3÷ 98 VALVERDE, Alejandro ESP KEL a 14
4÷ 64 MARTIN PERDIGUERO, Miguel ESP DVE a 14
5÷ 28 RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin ESP ONE a 14
6÷ 72 ETXEBARRIA, David ESP EUS a 14
7÷ 155 SINKEWITZ, Patrick GER QSD a 14
8÷ 171 ASTARLOA, Igor ESP SAE a 14
9÷ 3 FRIGO, Dario ITA FAS a 14
10÷ 75 GONZALEZ, Gorka ESP EUS a 14
11÷ 21 GLEZ. GALDEANO, Igor ESP ONE a 14
12÷ 127 HORRACH, Joan ESP MIL a 14
13÷ 121 MOLLER, Klaus DEN MIL a 14
14÷ 86 OSA, Aitor ESP BAN a 15
15÷ 66 POSPYEYEV, Kyryl UKR DVE a 15
16÷ 125 DEL OLMO, Txema ESP MIL a 15
17÷ 26 NOZAL, Isidro ESP ONE a 15
18÷ 91 SEVILLA, Oscar ESP KEL a 15
19÷ 58 NOVAL, Benjam?n ESP CRF a 15


Climbers - Combined
1 - PEREZ luis


General
1 - RODRIGUEZ Joaquin
2 - Igor GLEZ. GALDEANO, même temps
3 - NOZAL isidro
4 - SERRANO marcos
5 - BELTRAN Manuel
6 - HERAS Roberto


Points
1 - RODRIGUEZ

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INFOS:
Mario Cipollini left the race this morning

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Infos about Jerseys

ORO - 1st GENERAL
ORANGE - 1st CLIMBERS
POLKA DOT - 1er Points ....
BLUE - 1er Combination


Le maillot a pois orange, soutenu par la Communauté VALENCIANA symbolise
la production fruitière, oranges notamment, des provinces qu'elle regroupe:
Provinces de Valencia, Alicante, Castillon
à ne pas confondre avec le maillot à pois rouges du Tour de France qui permet d'identifier le maillot de leader du classement des grimpeurs.

Le maillot bleu, est soutenu par la province de Madrid

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Wonderful Picos de Europa behind the village
of San Vincente de La Barquera,
situated 50 km to the east of Cangas de Onis

Famous bridge of Cangas de Onis