September 23, 2003 – Colombia's Felix Cardenas (Labarca-2-Cafe Baque) took today's mountain stage over Juan Miguel Mercado (iBanesto.com) who was second, only five seconds behind and Oscar Sevilla (Kelme-Costa Blanca) was third 18 seconds behind. As well, USPS's Roberto Heras climbed the Sierra Nevada grades well, managing to take 54 seconds on Isidro Nozal's (ONCE-Eroski) advantage, as well as a few seconds on second place Igor Gonzalez De Galdeano (ONCE). However, the mountain stages are almost over and the possibility of a 1-2 ONCE sweep still looms. USPS' George Hincapie did not start today, preferring instead to return stateside to continue his preparation for the Road World Championships in Hamilton.
Stage 16: Jaen – Sierra Nevada, 162k1. Felix Cardenas (Col) Labarca-2-Cafe Baque 4.09.35
2. Juan Miguel Mercado (Spa) iBanesto.com 0.05
3. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 0.18
4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca
5. Leonardo Piepoli (Ita) iBanesto.com 0.21
6. Txema Del Olmo (Spa) Milaneza-MSS 0.31
7. Unai Osa (Spa) iBanesto.com 0.58
8. Roberto Heras (Spa) US Postal-Berry Floor 1.02
9. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank
10. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 1.11
Overall:
1. Isidro Nozal (Spa) O.N.C.E.-Eroski 54.13.10
2. Igor Gonzalez De Galdeano (Spa) O.N.C.E.-Eroski 3.03
3. Roberto Heras (Spa) US Postal-Berry Floor 3.09
4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 5.00
5. Manuel Beltran (Spa) US Postal-Berry Floor 5.16
6. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 6.27
7. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank 7.34
8. Luis Perez (Spa) Cofidis, Le Credit par Telephone 8.51
9. Unai Osa (Spa) iBanesto.com 9.02
10. Felix Cardenas (Col) Labarca-2-Cafe Baque 9.28
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70. Michael Barry (Can) US Postal-Berry Floor