Thursday 22 August 2013

Ireland and La Vuelta

Before the Tour I compiled a list of Ireland's Tour De France achievements. So I suppose it's only fair I do a Vuelta one this week.
Shay Elliott leads La Vuelta, 1962
Sean Kelly on his way to overall victory, 1988
The Vuelta is considered the third most important Grand Tour, after the Tour and Giro, but that doesn't diminish what is a very impressive Irish palmarés in the event.

Philip Deignan wins into Ávila, 2009
In summary there have been 8 starters, 8 finishers, 1 Overall win, 2 Race Leaders (the colour of the leaders jersey has changed over the years), 4 Points wins and 4 Stage winners with 20 stage wins between them.

Dan Martin leads Nicolas Roche as he powers
to stage victory in La Covatilla, 2011
Let's hope Nicolas Roche and Dan Martin can add to this list in 2013.

YearRiderTeamAchievementsResult
1962Shay ElliottSaint Raphael-Helyetwinner stage 4 (141km, Valencia - Benidorm),
Race Leader for 9 days
2nd overall Points Classification 
3rd overall @  07' 17"
1963Shay ElliottSaint Raphaelwinner stage 13 (252km, Tarragona - Valencia) 41st overall @ 1h 02' 14"
1978Alan McCormackOld Lords-Splendor
55th overall @ 1h 44' 44"
1979Sean KellySplendorwinner stage 1 (156km, Jeréz de la Frontera - Sevilla)
winner stage 8A (145km, Sedaví - Benicasim) 
Abandoned
1980Sean KellySplendorwinner stage 1 (155km, La Manga - Benidorm)
winner stage 2 (170km, Benidorm - Cullera)
winner stage 14 (162km, Vigo - Ourense) 
winner stage 17 (138km, Léon - Valladolid) 
winner stage 19 (84km, Madrid - Madrid)
Winner Points Classification
Winner Sprints Classification 
4th overall @ 03' 31"
1985Sean KellyKas-Miko-Skilwinner stage 2 (262km, Zamora - Ourense)
winner stage 10 (209km, Sabiñánigo - Tremp)
winner stage 18 (200km, Alcalá de Henares - Palazuelos de Eresma (Destilerias DYC))
Winner Points Classification
9th overall @ 07' 52"
1986Sean KellyKaswinner stage 10 (193km, San Isidro - Palencia)
winner stage 13 (148km, Palazuelos de Eresma (Destilerias DYC) - Collado Villalba)
Winner Points Classification
Winner Mixed Class
3rd overall @ 05' 19"
1987Sean KellyKas-Mikowinner stage 1 (219km, Benidorm - Albacete)
winner stage 3 (34.8km, Valencia - Valencia)
Race Leader for 4 days
Abandoned

Martin EarleyFagor-Larios
22nd overall @ 27' 15"
1988Sean KellyKas-Canal10-Mavicwinner stage 11 (217km, Santander - Valdezcaray)
winner stage 20 (30km, Las Rozas - Collado Villalba)
Race Leader for 2 days
Winner Points Classification
Winner Mixed Class
1st Overall

Martin EarleyKas-Canal10-Mavic
19th overall @ 25' 27"
1992Stephen RocheCarrera Jeans
15th overall @ 22' 40"
1993Martin EarleyFestina-LotusAbandoned
2007Philip DeignanAG2R-Prevoyance
71st overall @ 1h 39' 07"
2008Nicolas RocheCredit Agricole
13th overall @ 13' 41"
2009Philip DeignanCervelo Test Teamwinner stage 18 (165km, Talavera de la Reina - Ávila)9th overall @ 11' 08"

Daniel MartinGarmin-Slipstream
53rd overall @ 1h 26' 13"
2010Philip DeignanCervelo Test Team
Abandoned

Nicolas RocheAG2R-La Mondiale
6th overall @ 05' 03"
2011Daniel MartinGarmin-Cervelowinner stage 9 (183km, Villacastín - La Covatilla (Sierra de Bejar))13th overall @ 07' 22"

Nicolas RocheAG2R-La Mondiale
16th overall @ 10' 25"
2012Nicolas RocheAG2R-La Mondiale
12th overall @ 17' 50"