Sportsmanship In Cycling

Here's why I love cycling.
Spaniard Juan Manuel Garate won the 19th stage of the Giro d'Italia Friday.
German Jens Voigt could have.
But Garate should have, and Voigt understood that.

Garate was part of a long breakaway and rode the final few kilometers with Giro GC leader Ivan Basso's CSC teammate Voigt. Garate is a better climber than Voigt and worked harder on the steep road to the finish. Voigt, a stronger sprinter, returned the favor by tapping Garate on the back a few hundred meters from the finish, indicating the Spaniard could have the victory.

"I didn't deserve the victory today. He worked for it," Voigt said.

Garate covered the grueling 221km (137-mile) stage from Pordenone to Passo Di San Pellegrino, which included four major climbs, in 7:13.36 for his fifth career win. "I didn't have the legs this year to be with the top riders and I really wanted to win a stage," said Garate, who rides for the Belgian Quick Step team.

Voigt finished four seconds behind.

Basso finished 2:15 behind in eighth, just behind Gilberto Simoni. Basso leads Jose Gutierrez Cataluna by 6:07, with Simoni third overall at 10:34.