Samu secures first win of 2012

Samuel Sánchez soloed to his and the team's maiden win of the season in today's penultimate stage of the Volta a Catalunya.

Samu left the peloton for dead in Cancellara-like style inside the last two clicks to win stage six between Sant Fruitós de Bages to Badalona in emphatic fashion. He eventually finished up two seconds ahead of the field, advancing to second on GC in the process. Ahead of tomorrow's concluding stage into Barcelona, he's 1:30 down on Albasini and two seconds ahead of Van den Broeck in third.

Reactions and reflections to come later tonight.

Stage results:

• 1, Samuel Sánchez, 4:04:50
• 53, Miguel Mínguez, 0:02
• 61, Iván Velasco, 0:16
• 79, Jorge Azanza, s.t.
• 98, Victor Cabedo, 1:37

Overall:

• (1, Michael Albasini, GreenEdge)
• 2, Samuel Sánchez, 1:30
• 30, Miguel Mínguez, 8:06
• 48, Iván Velasco, 13:01
• 78, Jorge Azanza, 27:58
• 103, Victor Cabedo, 38:39