Pezcyclingnews: Vuelta’15 St.19: Gougeard Gets It In Avila!

Race Report: It was a case of two races on the road today and one of the most attacking men of this Vuelta – Alexis Gougeard (Ag2r) finally played it perfectly and took a superb win into the ancient city of vila. In the overall Movistar tried- and failed – to break the will of Tom Dumoulin as they headed towards the cobbled climb into the stage finish.Nearing the EndOnce again La Vuelta, which was languishing in the doldrums a mere decade ago, is proving to be the best Grand Tour of the season. Sure, it doesnt have the passion of the Giro in the eyes of the fans and watching media, it doesnt have the grand spectacle of July in France but what it does have is pure, eyeballs-out racing from the drop of the flag.Tom Dumoulin (Giant-Alpecin) is another day closer to Madrid and has confounded everyone by being able to fight off every attack and hang on to his slim 3-second lead. Fabio Aru (Astana) has tried everything he can over the last coupe of days, and will continue to do so until all hope is lost. And Joaquim Rodrguez (Katusha) will have to try something special, from a long way out, if he is to claw back the time he lost in the TT.Giuseppie Martinelli (Astana Sports Director):Tom Dumoulin surprised me yesterday when he managed to hold Arus wheel. If we cant beat him man to man, then its going to have to be collective, with...

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