September 3, 2006 – Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana Team won today’s Stage 9, A Fonsagrada – Alto de La Cobertoria, 206 kms for his second consecutive stage win at the Vuelta. Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal (Phonak Hearing Systems) was 22nd today and is now in 16th overall.

Results

1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana Team 5.50.43 (35.48 km/h)
2 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne-Illes Balears 0.16
3 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana Team 0.21
4 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 0.43
5 José Angel Gomez Marchante (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir
6 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas
7 Manuel Beltran (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 1.46
8 Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) Saunier Duval-Prodir
9 Samuel Sánchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 1.59
10 Stijn Devolder (Bel) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.14

22 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Phonak Hearing Systems 4.20
77 Michael Barry (Can) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 26.12

GC after Stage 9

1 Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne-Illes Balears 36.41.31
2 Andrey Kashechkin (Kaz) Astana Team 0.27
3 Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 0.44
4 José Angel Gomez Marchante (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 0.56
5 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana Team 1.38
6 Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.05
7 Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Liquigas 2.21
8 Manuel Beltran (Spa) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 2.28
9 Ruggero Marzoli (Ita) Lampre-Fondital 3.59
10 Sylvester Szmyd (Pol) Lampre-Fondital 5.18

16 Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Phonak Hearing Systems 7.16
75 Michael Barry (Can) Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team 56.22