1997 Vuelta a España

Final Stage--September 29
Zulle wins in Swiss sweep of Tour of Spain
Switzerland's Alex Zulle stood atop the podium Sunday when the 22-stage Vuelta ended with a field sprint in downtown Madrid. The ONCE rider won the first major stage race of his career after fighting off attacks from Laurent Dufaux (Festina-Lotus) in the final days.
Live updates
Stage 22 results

Plus: Julich posts best American finish of 1996
Twenty-four-year-old Bobby Julich crossed the finish line Sunday in Madrid with the best American finish in any of Europe's major stage races this year, in ninth place overall. The Vuelta marked a change of fortune for the Colorado resident, who says he's finally arrived at the elite level of professional cycling.

Stage 21--September 28
Rominger hammers to time-trial win

Stage 20--September 27
Bugno wins stage; Zulle retains lead

Stage 19--September 26
Dufaux makes late bid for Tour glory

Stage 18--September 25
Konyshev takes stage; Zulle still on top

Stage 17--September 24
Zulle escapes brush with fate, retains overall lead

Stage 16--September 23
Minali wins in field sprint; Zulle retains lead

Stage 15--September 22
Masterful Zulle wins stage, extends overall lead

Stage 14--September 21
Conte wins Tour of Spain stage
Plus: Reactions to Miguel Indurain's decision to drop out

Stage 13--September 20
Indurain drops out; Zulle and Jalabert dominate

Stage 12--September 19
Zulle leaves Indurain behind in mountain finish

Stage 11--September 18
Breakaway stage win for Di Renzo

Stage 10 (time trial)--September 17
Zulle moves into lead; Indurain close behind

Rest day--September 16
Getting ready to rip

Stage 9--September 15
Heading to the heartland

Stage 8--September 14
Minali narrowly wins stage; Baldato retains lead

Stage 7--September 13
Baldato keeps overall win with last-second sprint

Stage 6--September 12
Baldato takes yellow jersey with stage win

Stage 5--September 11
Calm stage suits riders

Stage 4--September 10
Belgian wins stage; Jalabert still on top

Stage 3--September 9
New leader of the pack

Stage 2--September 8
American leads climbers

Stage 1--September 7
Vuelta opens with all eyes on Indurain

Overall standings
Live updates: Stage 3 | Stage 4 | Stage 5 | Stage 6 | Stage 7 | Stage 8 | Stage 9 | Stage 10 | Stage 11 | Stage 12 | Stage 13 | Stage 14 | Stage 15 | Stage 16 | Stage 17 | Stage 18 | Stage 19 | Stage 20 | Stage 21 | Stage 22
Stage results: Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | Stage 5 | Stage 6 | Stage 7 | Stage 8 | Stage 9 | Stage 10 | Stage 11 | Stage 12 | Stage 13 | Stage 14 | Stage 15 | Stage 16 | Stage 17 | Stage 18 | Stage 19 | Stage 20 | Stage 21 | Stage 22

Introduction
The streets of Spain
The 51st Vuelta a España is sure to provide the world's best sprinters and climbers--and their fans--plenty of blood, sweat, and tears. Watch while the old guard prepares to give one last push while the young guns try to make their mark.

Mig watch
Indurain jumping ship?
Spanish sports dailies are working hard to outdo one another on the subject of Indurain's future.

Who's who
Missing in action
Many of cycling's biggest stars are skipping the sport's third most important stage race to prepare for the world championships in mid-October in Switzerland.

The stages
Saving the best for last
This year's course covers nearly 4,000 kilometers of pavement, reserving the real punishment for the final week of the Tour, when the race climbs into the mountains.

The mountains
Going up
Beginning with the September 17 time trial, racers must climb more than 16,600 meters before maxing out on the grueling 7,870-meter Stage 20, just two days before the finish line.

The teams
Cream of the crop
Plenty of big-name teams will be out in full force come September 7. See which riders are ready to roll.

Stage Map

Miguel Indurain drops out
of the race in Stage 13