Birthday Boy Ruben Plaza of Benfica Wins In Valencia

By editor on March 1st, 2008

Birthday boy Plaza wins in Valencia

MADRID, March 1, 2008 (AFP) - Ruben Plaza, riding with the Benfica team, won the Tour of the Valencia Community on Saturday to celebrate his birthday in style.

Plaza, who turned 28 on Friday, triumphed on home ground after the fifth and final stage, a 149.km ride around Valencia which was won by Italian Alessandro Petacchi in a sprint finish.

“I am very happy and I want to warmly congratulate my teammates for all the work they have done,” said Plaza who had taken over the leader’s yellow jersey on Thursday in Ibi, the town where he was born.

Plaza’s winning margin was five seconds over compatriot Manuel Vazquez and 21secs in front of third-placed Spaniard Xavier Florencio.

Pre-race favorite, Alberto Contador, was sixth overall, 33 seconds of the leaders pace.

Valencia results

MADRID, March 1, 2008 (AFP) - Results from Saturday’s fifth and final stage of the Tour of the Valencia Community:

Stage

1. Alessandro Petacchi (Milram/ITA) 149.4km in 3hr 12min 54sec

2. Danilo Napolitano (ITA) s.t.

3. Francesco Chicchi (ITA) s.t.

4. Erik Zabel (GER) s.t.

5. Ruben Perez (ESP) s.t.

Overall

1. Ruben Plaza (Benfica/ESP) 19:54.49