Vuelta de Murcia

Lance Armstrong pulled in the crowds at the Vuelta de Murcia Cycle Race and ended the 5 day tour in 7th place, which is better than his last appearance in 2004 at 15th. One of the highlights for me was seeing two British-based teams in this year’s race - “Endura”, whose Alex Blain won the Blue Points Jersey for most consistent rider over the 5 stages and the new “Sky Team”. This Olympic double gold medallist was 3rd overall, so a good showing on his way to big things expected in July on the Tour de France.

The first 2 days of racing had warm sunshine (22 degrees) and was won by Robert Hunter, the South African, riding for the German “Milram” team.
Friday was the big mountain stage, going over the Espuña and after 122k, dropping down into Totana to finish in Alhama de Murcia. This day was cloudy and quite cold, 1000mts up, sitting in the restaurant eating menu del dia. One of our highlights was seeing a wild boar and its 5 babies trotting down the mountain to join us for lunch!! This was a daily visit by the now quite tame wild animals. We moved off after lunch to our spot on the mountain and the riders, as predicted, came past in groups as the 20k climb took its toll on the 150 rider bunch.


The next day was the time trial, starting in Alhama, going into Totana and finishing in Alhama. The winner was Fran Rabon who went on to win the overall race. In 2nd place was last year’s winner, the Russian, Denis Menchov and in 3rd was Britain’s own Bradley Wiggins. These 3 were unchanged for the last day – a 125k loop into Murcia City. I rode out in the morning to watch in El Palmar, about 15k from the finish. I usually watch at the finish line in Murcia, but had to get home quickly as my Sunday dinner and 4 guests were waiting and I certainly needed feeding up after my 3 hours of riding.

The great man himself, Lance Armstrong, was 7th in the end, so things are looking good for his build up for the important date in July, when the whole of Europe will be watching him and the other 199 riders in the Tour de France.
Hasta el ano proximo.