Rodriguez extends lead over Froome

CYCLING: Joaquim Rodriguez further extended his lead over Chris Froome at the top of the Vuelta a Espana general classification after finishing second behind Philippe Gilbert on stage nine yesterday.
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Aug 2012, 04:33 BST

Belgian Gilbert (BMC) earned his first victory of 2012 after beating Rodriguez in a sprint finish at the end of the 196.30-kilometre ride from Andorra to Barcelona after the pair had broken clear on the final climb of Montjuic.

Barcelona-born Rodriguez may have missed out on the stage win in his home town but the Katusha rider can take satisfaction from the fact he now boasts a 53-second lead over nearest challenger Froome of Team Sky in the race to finish first overall.

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Briton Froome slipped 33 seconds behind the Spaniard on Saturday and he lost more ground yesterday after finishing in the chasing pack. In third place on stage nine, seven seconds behind the leading pair, was Italian Paolo Tiralongo. Overall, Alberto Contador remains in third spot, seven seconds behind Froome and now a minute behind Rodriguez.

Mark Cavendish, meanwhile, claimed victory on the final stage of the Tour of Denmark. The Olympian was put to the fore by his Sky team-mates and finished with a powerful sprint to win in Frederiksberg.