Roche is eighth as Martin slips back

CYCLING:HAVING lost 40 seconds to the general classification contenders on Tuesday's fourth stage of the Vuelta a España, Nicolas Roche had a welcome morale boost yesterday when he finished eighth on the tough stage to Valdepeñas de Jaén.

The 187 kilometre race was won by 2010 world number one Joaquim Rodriguez (Team Katusha), who was strongest on the short, steep ramp up to the finish. Overnight leader Sylvain Chavanel (Cofidis) continued to lead overall, but his advantage has been cut to nine seconds over Tuesday’s stage winner Daniel Moreno (Katusha), who was third yesterday.

Roche (Ag2r la Mondiale) rode strongly on the final ascent to cross the line eight seconds behind Rodriguez. The climb was a less successful one for his first cousin Dan Martin (Garmin-Cervélo), who was third on Tuesday’s leg but who was unable to sleep overnight due to the effects of staying at high altitude. He was tired on yesterday’s stage and finished back in 30th place, 29 seconds off the winning pace.

Martin drops from eleventh to 18th place, one minute four seconds back.

Roche is a further 44 seconds behind in 25th, and spoke afterwards about the encouragement he got from his eighth place.

“I’m reassured about my capacities . . . I needed that after my bad performance at Sierra Nevada,” he said, referring to Tuesday’s stage.

“It confirms that I prefer steep ascents like Valdepeñas de Jaén rather than long and steady climbs. I can still hope to get a good final GC like last year (where he was seventh). My team will feel better about things after today’s ride.”

Snatching a 20 second time bonus as well as his sixth win of the 2011 season after he rocketed away from a crumbling pack 500 metres from the line, Rodriguez told reporters his teams morale was stronger than ever.

Two wins in a row for the squad and a stage win for me so early on is great news, Rodriguez said.

Ive always said I wanted to go for the overall and this confirms Im in great shape.

Its very early days yet, all of the favourites are still very close together, but a win like this shows I mean business to everybody.