September 16, 2002 – Aitor González has won the eighth stage of the Vuelta a España that took
the peloton over 174 km from Malága to Ubrique. In a very exciting finish the 27-year old cyclist from the Kelme team managed to overtake his compatriot Luis Pérez Rodriguez in the final metres of the stage that ended slightly uphill. David Extebarria also passed Rodriguez at the finish line taking second.
It's González first career victory at the Vuelta a España. Making his debut at the Vuelta,
González has earned himself two Top-10 finishes so far and is in third place in the overall standings, overtooking Roberto Heras of the US Postal team. Team mate Oscar Sevilla remains in the Amarillo jersey as overall leader.
Major headline in the stage was the departure of Mario Cipollini. The Italian sprint giant – winner of three stages – was already expected to leave the Vuelta a España early as soon as his chances for another stage win disappeared. He will now start his preparation for the World Championships Cycling that will be held early October in Belgium.
Stage 8 – September 14: Málaga – Ubrique, 173.6 km
1. Aitor Gonzalez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 4.18.36 (40.278km/h)
2. David Etxebarria (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
3. Luis Perez (Spa) Team Coast
4. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Saeco-Longoni Sport
5. Francesco Casagrande (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
6. Pablo Lastras (Spa) iBanesto.com
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com
8. David Millar (GBr) Cofidis
9. Iban Mayo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi
10. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Telekom
177. Michael Barry (Can) US Postal Service
Overall:
1. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 29.43.40
2. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Telekom 0.14
3. Aitor Gonzalez (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 0.41
4. Roberto Heras (Spa) US Postal Service 0.48
5. Félix Garcia Casas (Spa) Bigmat.Auber 93 1.01
6. Haimar Zubeldia (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 1.09
7. Iban Mayo (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 1.14
8. Mikel Zarrabeitia (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 1.34
9. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 1.43
10. Jörg Jaksche (Ger) ONCE-Eroski 1.44
Note: Michael Barry crashed heavily in this stage.