|
Stages:
|
18 |
|
Kms:
|
2.921,4 |
|
Riders:
|
100 |
|
Teams:
|
10 |
|
Kms/hour:
|
39,843 |
|
Retired:
|
32 |
Vuelta a España 1969 was witness of the beginning
of the professional career of Luis Ocaña, who would become the most brilliant
figure in the Spanish cycling. The rider from Cuenca, born in Priego, had
to make do with the second place in the Overall Standings, but he made the
Spanish enthusiasts, who were berefit of a new star since Bahamonde´s retirement,
felt their enthusiasm back seeing him as the new future champion who could
face the figures of the international peloton. Those who predicted that were
completely right: Ocaña won one Vuelta and one Tour in the following years.
The proceeding of the race could be summarize in a contest between Ocaña and
the final winner, Roger Pingeon, leader since the twelfth stage, between San
Feliú and Moyá; the French rider had to resist until the very last day the
constant attacks from Ocaña. The rider from Priego made the people fond of
cycling jump for joy when he made up that style of riding which had been lost
little by little: combative and aggressive. There was not a day in which he
did not try to launch an attack on the leader in order to displace him from
his position. He did not get it but tried as hard as he could, what turned
him into the new figure of the national cycling. Apart from his second position
in the Overall Standings, Ocaña achieved the victory in three stages and he
was the leader in the Climbers Overall Standings as well.
