The World Championships took place in Italy a couple of weeks ago. Spain had the perfect setup to win the race, but something weird happened in the final kilometers of the race.
Joaquim Rodriguez, from Spain, had a break away lead for a significant length of time at the end of the race. With less than 5 km to go in the race Rodriguez sill held a slight lead with three more riders trailing close behind: Vincenzo Nibali of Italy, Rui Costa of Portugal and Alejandro Valverde of Spain. Rui Costa put in an attack and bridged up to Rodriguez leaving the two of them to battle it out for the victory. Costa took the win for Portugal's first ever world men's road race championship.
Spain was perfectly situated for the victory with two riders in the final break of four. Many observers were perplexed that Valverde did not cover Costa's attack. Valverde's lack of action most likely cost Spain the World Championships this year. They ended up with second and third, but that is little consolation when the top step is so close.
This week's Lucha Vino challenge pits a challenger from Ribera del Duero against a Washington State Tempranillo. Let's see if the Spanish challenger can have any better luck than Rodriguez and Valverde.
2010 Tranche Cellars Tempranillo v. 2001 Bodegas Balbas Gran Reserva
