Trenti takes easy win

Trenti celebrates his victory

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Guido Trenti hid the pain of a family bereavement to win the 19th stage of the Tour of Spain.

The Italian-American then dedicated the win, his team Cantina Tollo's second consecutive stage victory of the tour, to his grandmother, who died three days ago.

"My father phoned me to tell me to continue racing, and I will take the winner's bouquet from today back to Italy to lay on her tomb," he said.

Italian-born Trenti's victory followed that of team-mate Filippo Simeoni, who took a comfortable victory on the previous stage.

With race leader Oscar Sevilla and second-placed Angel Casero coasting in with the main peloton more than 15 minutes behind the winner, the overall standings remain unchanged with just two stages left.

Sevilla maintains his 25-second advantage over Casero while last year's race winner Roberto Heras is a further one minute 55 seconds adrift in third place.

Sudden acceleration

Trenti had formed part of an 11-man breakaway that at one point opened up a gap of 15 minutes on the peloton, although none in the group posed a threat to the overall leaders.

As they neared the finish in Guadalajara, a sudden acceleration and a spate of punctures saw the leading group whittle down to just four riders.

Alexander Shefer of Kazakhstan and Spanish duo Jose Garcia Acosta and Mikel Zarrabeitia joined Trenti in the battle for the stage.

But it was 28-year-old Trenti who showed his superior sprint speed as he powered past his three rivals in the home straight to claim victory by some 20 metres.

Zarrabeitia finished second with Shefer placed third.

Saturday's 20th stage, which finishes with the tough first category ascent of Alto de Abantos, promises to be one of the most exciting of this year's race.

Specialist climber Sevilla will attempt to increase his cushion over Casero before the final 38km time trial around Madrid.

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Leading results from 19th stage:
1. Guido Trenti, United States, Cantina, 3 hours, 49 minutes, 34 seconds.
2. Mikel Zarrabeitia, Spain, ONCE, 2 seconds behind.
3. Alexander Sheder, Kazakhstan, Alessio, same time.
4. Chente Garcia Acosta, Spain, ibanesto.com, 10 seconds behind.
5. Karsten Kroon, Netherlands, Rabobank, 44 seconds behind.
6. Joao Silva, Portugal, Milaneza, s.t.
7. Alberto Elli, Italy, Telekom, s.t.
8. Marino Piccoli, Italy, Lampre, s.t.
9. Juan Carlos Vicario, Spain, Festina, 46 seconds behind.
10. Simone Bertoletti, Italy, Lampre, 1:41 behind.

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Overall standings:
1. Oscar Sevilla, Spain, Kelme, 65 hours, 36 minutes, 58 seconds.
2. Angel Casero, Spain, Festina, 25 seconds behind.
3. Roberto Heras, Spain, US Postal, 2:20 behind.
4. Juan Miguel Mercado, Spain, ibanesto.com, 3:19 behind.
5. Levi Leipheimer, United States, US Postal, 3:55 behind.
6. David Plaza, Spain, Festina, 4:44 behind.
7. Jose Maria Rubiera, Spain, US Postal, 4:59 behind.
8. Aitor Osa, Spain, ibanesto.com, 5:47 behind.
9. Iban Mayo, Spain, Euskatel, 6:59 behind.
10. Fernando Escartin, Spain, Team Coast, 7:18 behind.

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