| Stages:
|
20 |
Kms:
|
3.990 |
| Riders:
|
54 |
| Teams:
|
11 |
Kms/hour:
|
25,723
|
|
Retired:
|
28 |
The
eighth edition of Vuelta a España had two main protagonists: Bernardo Ruiz and
Dalmacio Langarica. The former ruled the whole race with absolute control, as
his triumph in the Individual Overall and Climbers Overall Standings shows.
Langarica, on the contrary, was the negative protagonist of the race. He went
through every kind of misfortunes which prevented him from fighting against
Ruiz for the final victory.
We also observe in this edition the generation change in Spanish cycling. The
star of Julián Berrendero was fading little by little and apart from his physical
decline he also suffered a personal loss: his father died halfway through the
race what caused his abandon of the race and the beginning and the end of one
of the great protagonists in the history of this sport.
The mountainous stages which run along the Cantabric coast decided, once again,
the final winner. The excellent physical form that enjoyed Bernardo Ruiz, along
with the constant misfortunes that Langarica had to bear, allowed the former
to achieve the Yellow Maillot, which he was able to keep almost until the end
of the race, though in order to get it he had to resist the constant attacks
from Langarica, who promised not to surrender until the arrival in Madrid, thing
that he was able to carry out.
Langarica tried more than twenty attacks during the last seven days, but misfortune,
his inseparable companion all throughout the race, hit him once more. During
the stage which covered the way between La Coruña and Orense, he suffered a
spectacular fall which wrecked all his efforts and separated him from the victory
and from the podium as well. Destiny wanted that it was Ruiz the rider who tried
the taste of triumph, whereas Langarica had to make do with the unanimous acknowledgment
from the enthusiasts.
Emilio Rodriguez, second in the Individual Overall Standings, Capó, third, Langarica,
fourth and Mesa fifth scorted Ruiz to the podium, while, regarding the Climbers
Overall Standings, Ruiz himself was the leader beating Langarica and Victor
Ruiz.
