Nicolas Roche grabs time bonus in Vuelta battle as Philippe Gilbert shakes off curse of the rainbow jersey

Philippe Gilbert (BMC) takes the sprint for victory on stage 12 of the Vuelta a Espana into Tarragona; his first win since claiming the world title just shy of 12 months ago.

By Gavin McLoughlin

Nicolas Roche managed to reduce his overall deficit on the leaders' red jersey by nabbing a two-second time bonus on the final intermediate sprint of stage 12 of the Vuelta a Espana today, Thursday.

The sprint occurred with 15 kilometres remaining and Roche and general classification rival Ivan Basso (Cannondale) were permitted to ride clear of the bunch. Basso crossed first to take three bonus seconds with Roche in his wheel.

Immediately afterward, both men were part of a small group that tried to distance the peloton, but the attempt was unsuccessful and World Champion Philippe Gilbert (BMC) ultimately took stage honours in a bunch finish.

Roche heads the combined classification and is now just 31 seconds off the red jersey of race-leader Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).

As demonstrated on stage 9 when the Saxo-Tinkoff leader lost the red jersey by the tiniest of margins, every second counts in cycling. On Roche’s part, today’s move was a wise strategic manoeuvre ahead of three stages of mountainous hell beginning on Saturday.

More time may be on offer on tomorrow’s leg in which a first-category climb peaks 50 kilometres from home. That ascent should put the quick men in difficulty and they may not have enough time to re-establish contact and dispute the finish.

Should it come down come down to a sprint between the better climbers, the nippy Roche will be in with a real shout of a stage victory. Ten bonus seconds are awarded to the first man across the finish line, and they would complement Roche’s haul from today very nicely.

So too would the time on offer at the final intermediate sprint of tomorrow, which occurs with 27 kilometres remaining. Perhaps a repeat of today’s tactic is in store.

Stage 12 was a 164-kilometre leg running from Maella to Tarragona. The break of the day consisted of three men and formed almost immediately after the action got underway as Romain Zingle (Cofidis), Fabricio Ferrari (Caja Rural) and Cédric Pineau (Française des Jeux) were able to escape.

This trio had established a lead of over 6 minutes after 30 kilometres, but Orica-Green Edge had ambitions of stage honours and the gap began to fall when they set about the long, slow process of capture.

Plenty of teams were willing to help out and finally the escapees were caught with 19 kilometres to go. With nervousness seeming to abound the pace was electric as NetApp-Endura drilled the bunch along.

It was a long distance from which to launch a run at a stage win and instead it seemed as if the German squad had ambitions for the final intermediate sprint. But when the time came Basso and Roche were able to get away, with Cameron Wurf of Cannondale the third man over the line.

Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) then tried to channel the spirit of his epic near-miss on stage 6 by powering clear of the bunch, with Roche and Basso ensconced in a little group just behind.

However, the sprinters teams were not taking any chances and again it was Orica-Green Edge who showed the most desire in a very technical last 5 kilometres.

The road was littered with roundabouts and tricky corners, and the Australian outfit led the charge under the flamme rouge.
Around the final corner and Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky) propelled himself past everyone, the Norwegian hurtling toward the line at lightning speed.

But Boasson Hagen would be denied as he could not produce enough power to hold off Gilbert. The Belgian just managed to pip the Sky man at the line to finally take his first victory in the rainbow jersey.

@gavmcloughlin