MADRID, 19 September 2005 — Spaniard Roberto Heras rode into the history books by winning the Tour of Spain for a record fourth time yesterday.
The 31-year-old climbing specialist from Bejar in the western sierras of Spain crossed the finishing line secure in the main pack in 32nd place after the final stage which began and ended in Madrid.
Russian Denis Menchov finished second overall, four minutes 36 seconds adrift, with Spaniard Carlos Sastre taking third, 4:54 behind.
“The Tour of Spain is the race which has given me the most, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to win abroad as well,” Heras told reporters. “I can’t place a particular value on this fourth overall win, I just do my work the best I can. It’s up to others to say what value it has.” Italian Alessandro Petacchi won the 136.5-kilometer final stage, his fifth stage win on this year’s Tour of Spain.
