1985 Vuelta a España

The 40th "Vuelta a España" (Tour of Spain), a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the 3 grand tours, was held from April 23 to May 12, 1985. It consisted of 19 stages covering a total of 3,474 km, and was won by Pedro Delgado of the Orbea cycling team.

The Spanish favourites for the general classification of the race were Pedro Delgado, Faustino Rupérez and Pello Ruiz Cabestany and the potential foreign favourites included Seán Kelly, Eric Caritoux, Peter Winnen and Gianbattista Baronchelli. A young Miguel Indurain took the lead early in the race. Pedro Delgado won the stage to the Lagos de Covadonga. Delgado lost the lead the following day and Scot Robert Millar took the lead after the tenth stage. Entering the second last stage Millar only had to keep an eye on Colombian Rodriguez who was only ten seconds down on Millar and Cabestany who was a minute behind. [cite web|url=http://www.ileach.co.uk/post/bob/vuelta.html|title=The stolen Vuelta|publisher=|accessdate=2008-01-14] However when Pedro Delgado attacked after Millar returned to the front group after a puncture there was, what has since been referred to as a collusion [cite web|url=http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=4289|title=National pride|publisher=Pezcycling|accessdate=2008-01-14] between the rival Spanish teams to ensure that Delgado made up the six minutes on the general classification to Millar and take the lead. The Colombian Rodriguez was instructed by his manager not to assist in bridging up to Delgado and saw his chances of a Vuelta win disappear. [cite book|last=Rendell|first=Matt|title=Kings of the Mountains|publisher=Aurum Press|year=2002|id=ISBN 1854108379] Millar who was isolated from Peugeot teammates was powerless to try to reduce the deficit to Delgado as he was surrounded by riders who would not cooperate in the chase. It has been said that Millar's team manager should have bought the support of other teams. [cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0038/print.shtml|title=Robert Millar reclusive star|publisher=BBC.co.uk|accessdate=2008-01-14] Delgado took the jersey that evening and won the Vuelta the following day with Millar a narrow 36 seconds behind him. [cite web|url=http://www.lavuelta.com/05/ingles/historia/85infor.asp?a=1985&s=infor&t=infor&e=1|title=1985 Vuelta general information|publisher=la vuelta.com|accessdate=2008-01-14]

General classification (final)

References