La Vuelta

Joost Posthuma is competing in La Vuelta, the Tour of Spain, now ending the first of its three weeks.



So far, Rabobank, the squad he's on, has done very well. Oscar Freire, their top sprinter has won three stages and come close to winning a fourth.



And, having done well on the mountain sages, Denis Menchov has taken over the lead in the general classification.



Joost took eighth place in the first time trial yesterday and is 35th in the general classification at this point, not bad for a rider whose job it is to provide support for the two leaders.

Update: The Vuelta web site gives an update on Spanish press coverage of Denis Menchov following yesterday's stage:

Press summary: Menchov and Piepoli collaborate The press has been focussing on the excellent synchronisation between Leonardo Piepoli and Denis Menchov during the climb to Cerler, an important climb which could well determine how the race develops. EL PAIS opens with: “Friends forever”. and highlights that Piepoli and Menchov raced together from 2001 to 2003, from which their rapport stems. EL MUNDO opens with: “Piepoli wins in Cerler and Menchov wears the Golden Jersey”. In addition, they highlight Pereiro’s withdrawal and Menchov’s determination. EL DIARIO VASCO opens with: “Piepoli and Menchov share the loot". And Benito Urraburu notes: “Menchov has been the best in time trials as well as in the mountains”. EL CORREO opens with: “Menchov, the Vuelta’s best friend”. It highlights that Menchov’s only enemy is the Russian cyclist himself. The following also stands out in today’s press: not one article focuses on Ordino. For the journalists following the Vuelta, Menchov’s show in Cerler was no indication of the surprise at the Andorran summit.