2004 Vuelta a España


The 59th Vuelta a España, a long-distance bicycle stage race and one of the three grand tours, was held from 4 September to 26 September 2004. It consisted of 21 stages covering a total of, and was won by Roberto Heras of the Liberty Seguros cycling team.
Halfway through the 2004 Vuelta, it appeared it would become an easy win for Heras, but in the last week his fellow countryman Santiago Pérez won two heavy mountain stages, thus becoming an important rival. Eventually Heras won with only 30 seconds advantage on Pérez. Pérez and Phonak hearing systems teammate Tyler Hamilton would later test positive for blood doping from blood samples taken during the race. Francisco Mancebo, also from Spain took third. The first non-Spaniard was Stefano Garzelli from Italy in 11th. The points jersey was won by Erik Zabel from Germany, the mountain jersey was won by Félix Cárdenas from Colombia and the combination jersey was won by Roberto Heras. Kelme was the winner of the team ranking. Alessandro Petacchi, an Italian sprinter won four stages, but he did not finish the Vuelta.

Teams and riders

Route

Jersey progress

Stage
General classification
Points Classification
Mountains Classification
Combination Classification
Team Classification
Stage 1
Floyd LandisFloyd LandisFloyd LandisFloyd Landis
Stage 2
Max van HeeswijkErik ZabelFloyd LandisFloyd Landis
Stage 3
Benoît JoachimStuart O'GradyFloyd LandisFloyd Landis
Stage 4
Benoît JoachimErik ZabelFloyd LandisFloyd Landis
Stage 5
Manuel BeltránStuart O'GradyJuan Manuel GárateFloyd Landis
Stage 6
Manuel BeltránStuart O'GradyFrancisco ManceboManuel Beltrán
Stage 7
Manuel BeltránErik ZabelFrancisco ManceboDenis Menchov
Stage 8
Floyd LandisErik ZabelFrancisco ManceboFloyd Landis
Stage 9
Floyd LandisErik ZabelDavid FernándezFrancisco Mancebo
Stage 10
Floyd LandisStuart O'GradyJosé Miguel EliasFrancisco Mancebo
Stage 11
Floyd LandisStuart O'GradyJosé Miguel EliasAlejandro Valverde
Stage 12
Roberto HerasStuart O'GradyRoberto HerasRoberto Heras
Stage 13
Roberto HerasErik ZabelRoberto HerasRoberto Heras
Stage 14
Roberto HerasErik ZabelRoberto HerasRoberto Heras
Stage 15
Roberto HerasErik ZabelRoberto HerasRoberto Heras
Stage 16
Roberto HerasErik ZabelRoberto HerasRoberto Heras
Stage 17
Roberto HerasErik ZabelFélix CárdenasRoberto Heras
Stage 18
Roberto HerasErik ZabelFélix CárdenasRoberto Heras
Stage 19
Roberto HerasErik ZabelFélix CárdenasRoberto Heras
Stage 20
Roberto HerasErik ZabelFélix CárdenasRoberto Heras
Stage 21
Roberto HerasErik ZabelFélix CárdenasRoberto Heras
FinalRoberto HerasErik ZabelFélix CárdenasRoberto Heras

General classification (final)