An early race leader rocketed up the brutally sudden uphill finish in Toledo to win Stage 20 of the Vuelta a Espana on Friday.
Phillipe Gilbert (left, Omega) attacked the peloton after it crossed a bridge leading to the final mile into town. American Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Transitions) hung onto his wheel but was unable to pass the driving Belgian.
Overall leader Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas) finished in a small group just 1 second behind, earning himself another 12 seconds of breathing room over 2nd place Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia).
Nibali, who had trouble on the previous mountaintop finish on Monday, might need all of the now 50-second gap over Mosquera to protect his lead. Saturday's penultimate Stage 20 is a 106-mile stage with one Category 3 and two Category 1 climbs before the final summit finish at Bolla del Mundo.
Finishing right ahead of Nibali, but not gaining any seconds on him, is another serious challenger — Peter Velits of HTC Columbia. He remains 1:59 behind.
An earlier favorite, Frank Schleck, started the day in 4th place, less than 4 minutes behind the leader. He punctured in the finale, but was awarded the same time as the group finishing 15 seconds behind. As it turned out, that dropped Schleck down to 5th, behind Joaquin Rodriguez.
Belgium's Gilbert had earlier won Stage 3 and took the overall leader's red jersey that day.
A four-man breakaway survived out front of the peloton until about 7 miles from the finish.
Top 10 overall after Stage 19
1. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas)
2. Ezequiel Mosquera (Xacobeo Galicia) – :50 seconds
3. Peter Velits (HTC-Columbia) – 1:59
4. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) – 3:54
5. Frank Schleck (Saxo Bank) – 3:57
6. Xavier Tondo (Cervélo) – 4:02
7. Nicolas Roche (Ag2R) – 4:10
8. Tom Danielson (Garmin-Transitions) – 4:12
9. Carlos Sastre (Cervélo) – 4:28
10. Luis-Leon Sanchez (Caisse d’Epargne) – 5:50
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