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Hushovd hangs on for win in Stage 6
Norwegian sprinter Thor Hushovd hung on during a tough climb before pipping the other riders in a bunch sprint to win Stage 6 of the Tour of Spain on Thursday.
After successfully tackling the steep slopes and perilous descent of the Cresta del Gallo climb with 17 kilometres to go, the Cervelo rider then used his power to beat Italy's Daniele Bennati and Slovenian Grega Bole in a 69-rider bunch sprint.
Philippe Gilbert of Belgium retained the overall lead after finishing sixth in the 151-km stage from Caravaca de la Cruz to Murcia.
Hushovd said Thursday's win was as much due to his climbing well as it was to his better-known sprinting abilities.
"I hung on and hung on close to the front end of the bunch for at least two thirds of the climb," the Norwegian national champion told reporters.
"I dropped back around 25 places in the last part but the hard work had been done. When I saw Bennati had got over the climb, too, I thought: 'he's the man to watch in the finale.'
"But it turned out I had the better legs for the sprint, too."
Twice a winner of the Tour de France points classification, Hushovd was sick in the last part of this year's Tour and said his initial objective in Spain was "to regain my race condition".
He rejected trying to win the Tour of Spain's points classification, which he already won in 2006, with his trademark tactic of scooping up points with early attacks on mountain stages.
"There will be no sneaking into breaks for me," Hushovd said. "Another stage win at most would be great."
As aggressive as ever, race leader Gilbert broke off the front on the dangerous descent from the Cresta del Gallo with Italian Filippo Pozzato, then attacked again in the bunch sprint.
"The first breakaway was a bit unexpected, a couple of other guys couldn't descend so well so I found myself out in front by chance," he said.
"Then in the bunch sprint, there were only a few top sprinters there, so I thought: why not?"
The Tour of Spain finishes in Madrid on September 19.
Results
1. Thor Hushovd (Norway / Cervelo) 3hrs 36mins 20secs
2. Daniele Bennati (Italy / Liquigas) same time
3. Grega Bole (Slovenia / Lampre)
4. Allan Davis (Australia / Astana)
5. Filippo Pozzato (Italy / Katusha)
6. Philippe Gilbert (Belgium / Omega Pharma - Lotto)
7. Peter Velits (Slovakia / HTC - Columbia)
8. Pablo Urtasun (Spain / Euskaltel)
9. Samuel Dumoulin (France / Cofidis)
10. Nicolas Roche (Ireland / AG2R)
Overall standings
1. Philippe Gilbert (Belgium/Omega Pharma-Lotto) 22h 36m 26s
2. Igor Anton (Spain / Euskaltel) +10"
3. Joaquim Rodriguez (Spain / Katusha) +10"
4. Vincenzo Nibali (Italy / Liquigas) +12"
5. Peter Velits (Slovakia / HTC - Columbia) +16"
6. Tejay Van Garderen (U.S. / HTC - Columbia) +29"
7. Xavier Tondo (Spain / Cervelo) +49"
8. Fraenk Schleck (Luxembourg / Saxo Bank) +50"
9. Ruben Plaza (Spain / Caisse d'Epargne) +54"
10. Ezequiel Mosquera (Spain / Xacobeo) +55"
