Sánchez wins uphill battle

Samuel Sánchez proved just too strong for Iván Gutiérrez on the second stage of the Vuelta a Burgos.

Euskaltel-Euskadi star also tops GC

Samuel Sánchez proved just too strong for Iván Gutiérrez on the second stage of the Vuelta a Burgos and sealed a narrow triumph on the summit of the Alto de San Juan del Monte. The Euskaltel-Euskadi rider, who finished fourth at last month's Tour de France, proved his form was still with him as he powered up the final category-3 ascent and passed the Spanish champion less than 10 metres from the line. Sánchez's victory also lifted him to the top of the general classification despite Gutiérrez also clocking the same overall time as his compatriot. Topsport Vlaanderen's Kristof Van de Walle is four seconds adrift in third place, with Team Sky's Morris Possoni a further five seconds behind in sixth. The city of Burgos had seen the riders away at the start of the day and after a flurry of early activity, José Vicente Toribio (Andalucía) and Beñat Urain (Orbea) eventually worked themselves free after 17km. Urain's team-mate Pascual Orengo attempted to follow moments later but his attack was quickly cancelled out. Toribio and Urain pressed on unabated though, and were almost five minutes clear of the peloton at the 53km mark. Euskaltel-Euskadi, with Sánchez clearly in mind, eventually took it upon themselves to lead the chase pack and the duo's lead was gradually chipped away as the stage continued and they were also reeled back in with 13km to go. By that point the action was at full pace and Team Sky were monitoring the situation closely towards the front of the bunch. As the road began to ramp up with around 3km to go, David López (Caisse d'Epargne) made a concerted attempt for glory but ran out of gas on the final corner and it was his team-mate who immediately took over the mantle and appeared destined for success. It was not to be though for the 31-year-old though as Sánchez had followed his every move and kicked on in the dying seconds to claim a canny victory. Stage two result: 1 - Samuel Sánchez - (ESP) - Euskaltel - (4:14:19)
2 - José Iván Gutiérrez - (ESP) - Caisse d'Epargne - (same time)
3 - Kristof Van de Walle - (BEL) - Topsport Vlaanderen - (+4)
4 - Giampaolo Caruso - (ITA) - Katyusha - (+6)
5 - David López - (ESP) - Caisse d'Epargne - (+9)
6 - Morris Possoni - (ITA) - Team Sky - (+9)
7 - Oliver Zaugg - (SUI) - Liquigas - (+9)
8 - David García - (ESP) - Xacobeo - (+16)
9 - Ezequiel Mosquera - (ESP) - Xacobeo - (+16)
10 - Andrea Noè - (ITA) - Flaminia - (+16)
Overall standings: 1 - Samuel Sánchez - (ESP) - Euskaltel - (7:48:22)
2 - José Iván Gutiérrez - (ESP) - Caisse d'Epargne - (same time)
3 - Kristof Van de Walle - (BEL) - Topsport Vlaanderen - (+4)
4 - Giampaolo Caruso - (ITA) - Katyusha - (+6)
5 - David López - (ESP) - Caisse d'Epargne - (+9)
6 - Morris Possoni - (ITA) - Team Sky - (+9)
7 - Oliver Zaugg - (SUI) - Liquigas - (+9)
8 - David García - (ESP) - Xacobeo - (+16)
9 - Andrea Noè - (ITA) - Flaminia - (+16)
10 - Ezequiel Mosquera - (ESP) - Xacobeo - (+16)