Igor Anton Wins Stage 11 of the Vuelta 2010 and Takes Back Red Jersey

Today's Stage 11 - the longest of the race - traveled 208.4 km (129.5 m) from Vilanova I La Geltrú to Andorra. It had one Category 3 climb and ended with an uncategorized climb up to the finish at Vallnord Sector Pal.

It was the first day in the Pyrenees and this is where the real general category contenders needed to gain time. As predicted yesterday Frank Schleck and Denis Menchov tried to go for it today. Menchov's Rabobank and Lampre pulling for camiseta roja Joaquin Rodriguez controlled most of the pack today trying to keep their men safe but to no avail. The steep banks up the Vallnord Sector Pal chewed all the favorites up and spit them out.

At 5 km before the finish Denis Menchov fell behind and Ezekiel Mosquera began his attack. Rodriguez and Nibali caught Mosquera while Schleck and Anton tried to reach this group of three. Schleck couldn't keep up and Mosquera attacked again with Nibali on his wheel. Rodriguez cracked, then Nibali and Anton passed both. At km 2 Mosquera lead Anton by 7 seconds but was caught and passed at 1.5 km giving Anton the stage win. Xacobeo Galicia's Ezekiel Mosquera was second 3 seconds later and third was Cervello Test Team's Xavier Tondo.

Anton spoke about his win after the stage:

"Right now I'm on a cloud and I prefer to live the present, enjoy what is happening to me in this Vuelta and keep trying to use my time," explained Igor Antón wearing the red jersey.

Notes:
- Nicholas Roche and Frank Schleck are now 9th and 10th overall, both 2'30" behind Anton.

- Denis Menchov is 8'55" behind and pretty much out of contention for the overall win.

- Joaquin Rodriguez is now 4th overall, behind by 1'17"

Thursday's Stage 12 will go 172.7 km from Andorra La Vella and finish in Lleida. It has one Category 2 climb at km 54, but it is still more of a sprinters' stage.

Stage 12 predictions:
- The pack will probably be worn out from today's mountain stage so won't go crazy and most of the lead sprinters should be able to keep up and have a go during the mass sprint ending.

- Mark Cavendish has yet to win an individual stage and will want the win here.

Stage standings:
1) ANTON, Igor - Euskaltel-Euskadi: 5:25:44
2) MOSQUERA, Ezequiel - Xacobeo Galicia: + 3"
3) TONDO, Xavier - Cervelo Test Team: + 10"
4) BRUSEGHIN, Marzio - Caisse d'Epargne: + 15"
5) URAN, Rigoberto - Caisse d'Epargne: + 15"

Overall standings:
1) ANTON, Igor - Euskaltel-Euskadi: 47:37:15
2) NIBALI, Vincenzo - Liquigas: + 45"
3) TONDO, Xavier - Cervelo Test Team: + 1'04"
4) RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin - Katusha: + 1'17"
5) MOSQUERA, Ezequiel - Xacobeo Galicia: 1'29"