23rd Castilla y Leon 2008 - stage 5

Stage five of the 23rd Castilla y Leon, from Guardo to Riano

Koldo Fernadez (Euskatel) won the stage after a mass gallop to the line, but all eyes were on race winner, Astana's Alberto Contador and speculation that he might ride the Tour de France for another team.

Contador addressed this when he said; “Why should I ride the Tour in another team than such a good Astana Cycling Team?”

After the race, Contador was so grateful to his team-mates.

“Without them, it would have been impossible. I may have been the best in the time trial and in the queen stage, without the support of my team, it would have been impossible to control the race. Thank you Benjamin, Sergio, Chechu, Daniel, Chris, Levi and Andreas. Thank you Sean Yates for all right decisions this week. It must be clear: I will not ride the Tour de France in another team than this one. I hope there comes an end now to all speculations and rumours that I will go to another team in order to participate to the Tour the France. No, I stay with my friends and sponsors who showed already to stay behind me. This week, we proved again that Astana Cycling Team is not only a strong team, but a group of friends as well.”

Contador in the winners Burgundy jersey

Team Manager Johan Bruyneel, present in this Tour of Castilla y Leon, was impressed by the strongness of this group. “It was a hard race. Some stages were difficult to control. As Alberto took the leader’s jersey after 9 km of this stage race. The team-mates really had to ride in front of the race from the first to the last kilometer. It were 630 hard kilometers. Maybe I was pleased the most by the atmosphere in the group."

"I am convinced that we still can have a great season this year. Even without a Tour de France. Of course I regret that we are not welcome there, but we now are looking forward to the 2009 Tour. This year we will continue to focus on new objectives. We built a team around Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer and other great leaders and will continue to surprise the cycling world.

I can confirm Alberto’s words: he will not ride the Tour for another team. End of speculation.”

1 12 FERNANDEZ, Koldo ESP EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI 03:58:28
2 42 DEKKER, Thomas RABOBANK mt.
3 103 VENTOSO, Fco.josé ANDALUCIA-CAJASUR mt.
4 62 ANDONOV, Danail BENFICA mt.
5 96 DUEÑAS, Moises BARLOWORLD mt.
6 121 PEREZ, Aitor EXTREMADURA mt.
7 37 DE LA FUENTE, David SAUNIER DUVAL-SCOTT mt.
8 116 MAYOZ, Iban KARPIN GALICIA mt.
9 75 VANDEVELDE, Christian SLIPSTREAM CHIPOTLE mt.
10 41 MENCHOV, Denis RABOBANK mt.

Final General Classifiaction
1 1 CONTADOR, Alberto ESP A STANA 15:00 57:37:00
2 98 SOLER, Mauricio BARLOWORLD a 39
3 42 DEKKER, Thomas RABOBANK a 46
4 4 LEIPHEIMER, Levi ASTANA a 01:09
5 41 MENCHOV, Denis RABOBANK a 01:23
6 47 MOLLEMA, Bauke RABOBANK a 01:30
7 96 DUEÑAS, Moises BARLOWORLD a 01:40
8 155 PARDILLA, Sergio BURGOS MONUMENTAL a 01:42
9 111 MOSQUERA, Ezequiel KARPIN GALICIA a 01:55
10 75 VANDEVELDE, Christian SLIPSTREAM CHIPOTLE a 01:55

Stages
The 23rd Castilla y Leon 2008 is made up of five stages from March 24/28 -
Stage 1 - VALSAIN – LA GRANJA DE SAN ILDEFONSO 9,7 Km
Stage 2 - SEGOVIA - ÁVILA 141,7 Km
Stage 3 - VALLADOLID - VILLA DEL LIBRO DE URUEÑA 159,9 Km
Satge 4 - CARRIÓN DE LOS CONDES - MONTAÑA PALENTINA (Collada de Salcedillo) 160,8 Km
Stage 5 = GUARDO - RIAÑO 158 Km

Website - www.vueltacastillayleon.com/