# 2010 Vuelta a España

The 2010 Vuelta a España was held from 28 August to 19 September and was won by Vincenzo Nibali. The race began in Seville and ended, as is tradition, in Madrid.
The race covered 3,333.8 km (2,071.5 mi). There was critical analysis that this Vuelta, which commemorates the 75th anniversary of the first edition of the race, was an especially difficult one and that stage 16 was the queen stage.
The stage 1 team time trial was held at night.
Vuelta runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera and Xacobeo–Galicia teammate David García Dapena were announced on September 30 to have given positive tests for hydroxyethyl starch during the race, a substance which is known as a masking agent for erythropoietin (EPO). All results from Mosquera after 12 September (stage 15) were annulled, which caused him to lose his second place. García later was announced to have tested positive for EPO during the race as well.

## Teams

Sixteen teams were automatically selected due to previous agreements and there were six wildcard places. Three of these were given to UCI Professional Continental teams, and three to UCI ProTour teams.
Team RadioShack was not invited despite having a ProTour license.
| Ag2r–La Mondiale Andalucía–Cajasur Astana Bbox Bouygues Telecom Cervélo TestTeam Caisse d'Epargne Cofidis | Euskaltel–Euskadi FDJ Footon–Servetto–Fuji Garmin–Transitions Lampre–Farnese Liquigas–Doimo Omega Pharma–Lotto Quick-Step | Rabobank Team HTC–Columbia Team Sky Team Milram Team Saxo Bank Team Katusha Xacobeo–Galicia |

## Stages

For details see 2010 Vuelta a España, Stage 1 to Stage 11 and 2010 Vuelta a España, Stage 12 to Stage 21
| Stage | Date | Course | Distance | Type | Type | Winner |
| 1 | 28 August | Seville | 13 km (8.1 mi) | | Team time trial | Team HTC–Columbia |
| 2 | 29 August | Alcalá de Guadaíra to Marbella | 173 km (107 mi) | | Flat stage | Yauheni Hutarovich (BLR) |
| 3 | 30 August | Marbella to Málaga | 156 km (97 mi) | | Mountain stage | Philippe Gilbert (BEL) |
| 4 | 31 August | Málaga to Valdepeñas de Jaén | 177 km (110 mi) | | Intermediate stage | Igor Antón (ESP) |
| 5 | 1 September | Guadix to Lorca | 194 km (121 mi) | | Flat stage | Tyler Farrar (USA) |
| 6 | 2 September | Caravaca de la Cruz to Murcia | 144 km (89 mi) | | Flat stage | Thor Hushovd (NOR) |
| 7 | 3 September | Murcia to Orihuela | 170 km (110 mi) | | Flat stage | Alessandro Petacchi (ITA) |
| 8 | 4 September | Villena to Xorret de Catí | 188.8 km (117.3 mi) | | Mountain stage | David Moncoutié (FRA) |
| 9 | 5 September | Calp to Alcoi | 187 km (116 mi) | | Intermediate stage | David López (ESP) |
| | 6 September | Rest day | Rest day | Rest day | Rest day | Rest day |
| 10 | 7 September | Tarragona to Vilanova i la Geltrú | 173.7 km (107.9 mi) | | Intermediate stage | Imanol Erviti (ESP) |
| 11 | 8 September | Vilanova i la Geltrú to Vallnord Sector Pal (Andorra) | 208 km (129 mi) | | Mountain stage | Igor Antón (ESP) |
| 12 | 9 September | Andorra la Vella (Andorra) to Lleida | 175 km (109 mi) | | Flat stage | Mark Cavendish (GBR) |
| 13 | 10 September | Rincón de Soto to Burgos | 193.7 km (120.4 mi) | | Flat stage | Mark Cavendish (GBR) |
| 14 | 11 September | Burgos to Peña Cabarga | 178.8 km (111.1 mi) | | Mountain stage | Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) |
| 15 | 12 September | Solares to Lagos de Covadonga | 170 km (110 mi) | | Mountain stage | Carlos Barredo (ESP) |
| 16 | 13 September | Gijón to Alto de Cotobello | 179.3 km (111.4 mi) | | Mountain stage | Mikel Nieve (ESP) |
| | 14 September | Rest day | Rest day | Rest day | Rest day | Rest day |
| 17 | 15 September | Peñafiel | 46 km (29 mi) | | Individual time trial | Peter Velits (SVK) |
| 18 | 16 September | Valladolid to Salamanca | 153 km (95 mi) | | Flat stage | Mark Cavendish (GBR) |
| 19 | 17 September | Piedrahita to Toledo | 200 km (120 mi) | | Flat stage | Philippe Gilbert (BEL) |
| 20 | 18 September | San Martín de Valdeiglesias to Bola del Mundo | 168.8 km (104.9 mi) | | Mountain stage | Ezequiel Mosquera (ESP) |
| 21 | 19 September | San Sebastián de los Reyes to Madrid | 85 km (53 mi) | | Flat stage | Tyler Farrar (USA) |
| | TOTAL | TOTAL | 3,333.8 km (2,071.5 mi) | 3,333.8 km (2,071.5 mi) | 3,333.8 km (2,071.5 mi) | 3,333.8 km (2,071.5 mi) | 3,333.8 km (2,071.5 mi) |

## Classification leadership

In the 2010 Vuelta a España, four different jerseys were awarded. For the general classification, calculated by adding the finishing times of the stages per cyclist after deduction of time bonuses for high placings in stage finishes and at intermediate sprints, the leader received a red jersey. This classification was considered the most important of the Vuelta a España, and the winner of the general classification was considered the winner of the Vuelta.
Additionally, there was also a points classification, which awarded a green jersey. In the points classification, cyclists received points for finishing in the top 15 in a stage. The winner got 25 points, second place 20, third 16, fourth 14, fifth 12, sixth 10, and one point per place less down the line, to a single point for fifteenth. In addition, some points were won in intermediate sprints.
There was also a mountains classification, which awarded a blue-spotted white jersey. In the mountains classifications, points were won by reaching the top of a mountain before other cyclists. Each climb was categorized, either first, second, third or "special" category, the last of which is equivalent to the Hors catégorie rating used in races such as the Tour de France.
Finally, there was the combination classification. This is calculated by adding the rankings in the general, points and mountains classifications; the cyclist with the lowest combined ranking is the leader in the combination classification, and receives a white jersey.
There was also a classification for teams. In this classification, the times of the best three cyclists per stage were added, and the team with the lowest time is the leader.
| Stage | Winner | General classification | Points classification | Mountains classification | Combination Classification | Team classification |
| 1 | Team HTC–Columbia | Mark Cavendish | Mark Cavendish$^1$ | not awarded | Mark Cavendish | Team HTC–Columbia |
| 2 | Yauheni Hutarovich | Mark Cavendish | Yauheni Hutarovich | Mickaël Delage | Javier Ramírez | Team HTC–Columbia |
| 3 | Philippe Gilbert | Philippe Gilbert | Philippe Gilbert | Serafín Martínez | Serafín Martínez | Team HTC–Columbia |
| 4 | Igor Antón | Philippe Gilbert | Igor Antón | Serafín Martínez | Vincenzo Nibali | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 5 | Tyler Farrar | Philippe Gilbert | Igor Antón | Serafín Martínez | Vincenzo Nibali | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 6 | Thor Hushovd | Philippe Gilbert | Philippe Gilbert | Serafín Martínez | Philippe Gilbert | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 7 | Alessandro Petacchi | Philippe Gilbert | Mark Cavendish | Serafín Martínez | Philippe Gilbert | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 8 | David Moncoutié | Igor Antón | Mark Cavendish | Serafín Martínez | Vincenzo Nibali | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 9 | David López | Igor Antón | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Vincenzo Nibali | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 10 | Imanol Erviti | Joaquim Rodríguez | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | David Moncoutié | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 11 | Igor Antón | Igor Antón | Igor Antón | David Moncoutié | Igor Antón | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 12 | Mark Cavendish | Igor Antón | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Igor Antón | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 13 | Mark Cavendish | Igor Antón | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Igor Antón | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 14 | Joaquim Rodríguez | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Joaquim Rodríguez | Caisse d'Epargne |
| 15 | Carlos Barredo | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Joaquim Rodríguez | Team Katusha |
| 16 | Mikel Nieve | Joaquim Rodríguez | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Joaquim Rodríguez | Team Katusha |
| 17 | Peter Velits | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Joaquim Rodríguez | Team Katusha |
| 18 | Mark Cavendish | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Joaquim Rodríguez | Team Katusha |
| 19 | Philippe Gilbert | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Joaquim Rodríguez | Team Katusha |
| 20 | Ezequiel Mosquera | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Vincenzo Nibali | Team Katusha |
| 21 | Tyler Farrar | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Vincenzo Nibali | Team Katusha |
| Final | Final | Vincenzo Nibali | Mark Cavendish | David Moncoutié | Vincenzo Nibali | Team Katusha |
$^1$ Initially, the team time trial gave points toward the points classification. These points were later removed.
$^2$ All results from Mosquera after 12 September (stage 15) were originally annulled. However this was overturned by a Spanish Court.

## Standings
### General classification

| | Rider | Team | Time |
| 1 | Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) | Liquigas–Doimo | 87h 18' 33" |
| 2 | Ezequiel Mosquera (ESP) | Xacobeo–Galicia | + 41" |
| 3 | Peter Velits (SVK) | Team HTC–Columbia | + 3' 02" |
| 4 | Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) | Team Katusha | + 4' 20" |
| 5 | Fränk Schleck (LUX) | Team Saxo Bank | + 4' 43" |
| 6 | Xavier Tondó (ESP) | Cervélo TestTeam | + 4' 52" |
| 7 | Nicolas Roche (IRL) | Ag2r–La Mondiale | + 5' 03" |
| 8 | Carlos Sastre (ESP) | Cervélo TestTeam | + 6' 06" |
| 9 | Tom Danielson (USA) | Garmin–Transitions | + 6' 16" |
| 10 | Luis León Sánchez (ESP) | Caisse d'Epargne | + 7' 42" |

### Points classification

| | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Mark Cavendish (GBR) | Team HTC–Columbia | 156 |
| 2 | Tyler Farrar (USA) | Garmin–Transitions | 149 |
| 3 | Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) | Liquigas–Doimo | 119 |
| 4 | Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) | Team Katusha | 110 |
| 5 | Philippe Gilbert (BEL) | Omega Pharma–Lotto | 104 |
| 6 | Ezequiel Mosquera (ESP) | Xacobeo–Galicia | 97 |
| 7 | Peter Velits (SVK) | Team HTC–Columbia | 88 |
| 8 | David Moncoutié (FRA) | Cofidis | 72 |
| 9 | Nicolas Roche (IRL) | Ag2r–La Mondiale | 63 |
| 10 | Fränk Schleck (LUX) | Team Saxo Bank | 62 |

### King of the Mountains classification

| | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | David Moncoutié (FRA) | Cofidis | 51 |
| 2 | Serafín Martínez (ESP) | Xacobeo–Galicia | 43 |
| 3 | Ezequiel Mosquera (ESP) | Xacobeo–Galicia | 36 |
| 4 | Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) | Team Katusha | 29 |
| 5 | Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) | Liquigas–Doimo | 26 |
| 6 | Luis León Sánchez (ESP) | Caisse d'Epargne | 25 |
| 7 | Gonzalo Rabuñal (ESP) | Xacobeo–Galicia | 25 |
| 8 | Mikel Nieve (ESP) | Euskaltel–Euskadi | 21 |
| 9 | Johann Tschopp (CH) | Bbox Bouygues Telecom | 18 |
| 10 | Fränk Schleck (LUX) | Team Saxo Bank | 17 |

### Combination classification

| | Rider | Team | Points |
| 1 | Vincenzo Nibali (ITA) | Liquigas–Doimo | 9 |
| 2 | Ezequiel Mosquera (ESP) | Xacobeo–Galicia | 11 |
| 3 | Joaquim Rodríguez (ESP) | Team Katusha | 12 |
| 4 | David Moncoutié (FRA) | Cofidis | 23 |
| 5 | Fränk Schleck (LUX) | Team Saxo Bank | 25 |
| 6 | Xavier Tondó (ESP) | Cervélo TestTeam | 32 |
| 7 | Mikel Nieve (ESP) | Euskaltel–Euskadi | 43 |
| 8 | Luis León Sánchez (ESP) | Caisse d'Epargne | 48 |
| 9 | Nicolas Roche (IRL) | Ag2r–La Mondiale | 49 |
| 10 | Christophe Le Mével (FRA) | FDJ | 67 |

### Teams classification

| | Team | Time |
| 1 | Team Katusha | 255h 40' 44" |
| 2 | Caisse d'Epargne | + 33" |
| 3 | Xacobeo–Galicia | + 12' 33" |
| 4 | Cervélo TestTeam | + 17' 50" |
| 5 | Ag2r–La Mondiale | + 35' 42" |
| 6 | Liquigas–Doimo | + 57' 05" |
| 7 | Omega Pharma–Lotto | + 1h 08' 04" |
| 8 | Euskaltel–Euskadi | + 1h 12' 06" |
| 9 | FDJ | + 1h 13' 13" |
| 10 | Team Saxo Bank | + 1h 17' 45" |