September 24, 2004 – Constantino Zaballa (Saunier Duval-Prodir) took today’s stage of the Vuelta. With Madrid looming and the Tour of Spain to end in days, will Roberto Heras hang on?

Stage 18:

1. Constantino Zaballa (Spa) Saunier Duval-Prodir 3.33.32
2. Ruslan Ivanov (Mda) Alessio-Bianchi 1.23
3. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Saeco
4. José Luis Arrieta (Spa) Illes Balears-Banesto
5. Eddy Mazzoleni (Ita) Saeco
6. Juan Manuel Garate (Spa) Lampre
7. Felix Cardenas (Col) Cafes Baque
8. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Nobili Rubinetterie
9. Benoit Joachim (Lux) US Postal Service p/b Berry Floor
10. Dario David Cioni (Ita) Fassa Bortolo

Overall:

1. Roberto Heras (Spa) Liberty Seguros 72.13.01
2. Santiago Perez (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems 1.13
3. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme 2.15
4. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Banesto 2.16
5. Isidro Nozal (Spa) Liberty Seguros 6.08
6. Carlos Garcia Quesada (Spa) Comunidad Valenciana-Kelme 6.16
7. Carlos Sastre (Spa) Team CSC 7.56
8. Angel Gomez (Spa) Paternina-Costa De Almeria 10.21
9. Stefano Garzelli (Ita) Vini Caldirola-Nobili Rubinetterie 12.21
10. Luis Perez (Spa) Cofidis, le credit par Telephone 12.25