Nicolas Roche has career best TT in Vuelta; now eyeing very big prize on final standings

A very good day against the clock has enhanced Nicolas Roche's chances of a podium finish when the Vuelta concludes in Madrid the weekend after next.

By Gavin McLoughlin

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche is up to second overall after an impressive demonstration of his improved time-trialling on stage 11 of the Vuelta a Espana today, Wednesday.

The Saxo-Tinkoff leader completed the 38.8 kilometre course in a time of 52:48, netting him sixth place on the day at 1:48 behind stage-victor Fabian Cancellara (Radioshack-Leopard).

The Irishman is 33 seconds off a race-lead now held once more by Vincenzo Nibali of Astana. The Italian was the only general classification contender to out-perform Roche today, going around in a superb time of 52:25.

Overnight leader Chris Horner was off the pace and cedes the red jersey to Nibali after turning in a time of 53:54. The 41-year-old American is now fourth overall.

Roche is not the smoothest time-triallist to ever take to an aerodynamic bike, but today his substance trumped his style.

Looking a tad nervous atop the starting ramp, the Irishman sipped from his bottle, closed his eyes and exhaled as he tried to mentally prepare for the challenge ahead.

Out on course and the Saxo-Tinkoff leader was moving around a lot on the bike, bowing his head with the exertion and sending the long tail of his aero helmet pointing straight up into the air.

Clearly the Irishman was operating close to his limit and despite the extra drag created by his frequent changes of posture he went through the first time check on the same time as Nibali.

Also performing well of Alejandro Valverde (Movistar). The Spaniard was delayed significantly by a puncture but as the checkpoints passed his times closely mirrored those of Roche.

Though he could not match the pace of Nibali on the second half of the course, Roche ultimately managed to best Valverde by 4 seconds. Gulping the air as he hurtled towards the finish line in the town of Tarazona, the Irishman also claimed the scalps of overall rivals Horner, Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) and Ivan Basso (Cannondale).

Stage honours, though, went to the powerhouse Cancellara. In a fascinating pre-Worlds duel with defending World Time-Trial Champion Tony Martin (Omega Pharma-Quick Step), the Swiss managed to come out on top a not insignificant margin of 37 seconds.

Tomorrow’s leg is a 164-kilometre ride from Maella to Tarragona, and looks set to be one for the sprinters. Roche will hope to conserve some energy and avoid the misfortune that plagued his cousin Dan Martin on the last flat stage.

The Irishman is very well-placed as we pass the halfway point of this Vuelta, but the remainder of the race is exceedingly arduous. Horner and Valverde lurk closely behind, and with Roche losing time to both on the last mountain stage he will be well aware of the threat they pose to his place on the podium.

It promises to be an enthralling battle.

@gavmcloughlin