Today, after the ninth stage (Huesca to the ski resort Cerler), Denis Menchov took lead of the general classement, after finishing second to Piepoli. So now Menchov takes the leader’s jersey, followed by Efimkin and Cadel Evans. It was a huge disappointment for Stijn Devolder, who had hoped to stay the leader of the general classement. Tom Boonen came in towards the end (more disappointment for him).

Here’s a description of the 9th stage from the Vuelta official website:

The climb of Cerler is the first real opportunity this year for the climbers to win back some of the time lost following the Zaragoza time-trial. In addition to the final climb, the stage also includes two 2nd category climbs: Monrepós (km. 23) and Serrablo (km. 70). The stage should suit those riders looking to breakaway in search of a stage win. Any breaks today are also likely to include “domestiques” sent ahead of the main bunch in order to prepare the ground for their team leaders. However, the final outcome of the stage is sure to be decided on the climb to Cerler. The 12 kilometre climb stands out for the extreme difficulty of the first four kilometres, which includes slopes of 9.5% and 8.5%. It is during these first kilometres that the most important attacks are likely to occur, given that any rider who is able to break away early on in the climb should be able to maintain his advantage on the easier, final slopes. We should therefore expect to see a multitude of attacks during the initial section of this very difficult climb.

Exciting news for Belgian cycling fans! Stijn Devolder took the lead in the Vuelta today after the time trial. Devolder came in 29 seconds faster than Denis Menchov who is second in the overal standings. Tom Boonen, the favorite among the Belgian riders, has not been doing as well as people expected, but with Devolder in the lead, Belgium can’t complain.

Here are today’s results:

Stage 8 – time trial: (1) Bert Grabsch; (2) Laszlo Bodrogi; (3) Stijn Devolder

Overall standings: (1) Stijn Devolder; (2) Denis Menchov; (3) Vladimir Efimkin; (4) Cadel Evans: (5) Maxime Monfort.

Erik Zabel (Milram) won the 7th stage of the Vuelta which ended in Zaragoza today. Allan Davis (Discovery) and Paolo Bettini (Quick.Step) came in second and third. A largely flat course that favored the sprinters such as Tom Boonen, a crash close to the end of the stage ruined several top sprinters’ day. Efimkin continues to lead the general classement, with Denis Menchov (Rabobank) and Carlos Sastre (CSC), second and third, respectively.