La Vuelta a Espana 2009

Though it doesn't get the attention afforded the Tour de France or the Giro d'Italia, cycling's other "grand tour" is every bit as brutal, and covers scenery every bit as stunning. And this year's Vuelta a Espana didn't lack for drama, with the three-week race still not totally decided until the final few stages. Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde of the Caisse d'Epargne team finally won a grand tour to live up to the promise he's shown for years. Australian rider Cadel Evans failed again to win a grand tour, finishing third to go with his two second-place finishes in the Tour. . ( 25 photos total)

A man on a horse rides past the peloton during the 12th stage of the Tour of Spain "La Vuelta a Espana" cycling race between Almeria and Alto de Velefique September 11. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal)

The peloton passes a windmill near the city of Beek during the 4th stage, which started in Venlo, Netherlands and finished in Liege, Belgium September 1. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong) #

Team Columbia rider Andre Greipel raises his arms as he wins the 4th stage September 1. (REUTERS/Francois Lenoir) #

Euskaltel Euskadi rider Aitor Hernandez rides over the Assut d'Or bridge designed by architect Santiago Calatrava during the 7th stage, an 18.6 mile individual time trial in Valencia September 5. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz) #

The peloton passes musical spectators during the 8th stage between Alzira and Alto de Aitana September 6. (REUTERS/Felix Ordonez) #

The peloton contests the 8th stage September 6. (AFP PHOTO/JOSE JORDAN) #

The peloton crosses a bridge in Alcoy during the 9th stage, which started in Alcoy and finished in Xorret del Cati September 7. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz) #

Alejandro Valverde (right) of the Caisse D'Epargne team celebrates with his fans after the 10th stage in Murcia September 8. (JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) #

The peloton rides past grapevines during the 10th stage between Alicante and Murcia September 8. (REUTERS/Felix Ordonez) #

Astana rider Alexander Vinokourov (center) Contentpolis Ampo rider Aitor Perez Arrieta (left) and Euskaltel Euskadi's Ruben Perez get into aero positions during the 10th stage between Alicante and Murcia September 8. (REUTERS/Felix Ordonez) #

The peloton rides during the 11th stage between Murcia and Caravaca de la Cruz September 9. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz) #

The peloton rides the 11th stage between Murcia and Caravaca de la Cruz September 9. (REUTERS/Felix Ordonez) #

Spectators wait for the peloton to pass during the 12th stage September 11. (AP Photo/Sergio Torres) #

The peloton contests the 14th stage between Granada and Sierra de la Pandera September 13. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal) #

Lines of spectators and cyclists intersect during the 14th stage between Granada and Sierra de la Pandera September 13. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal) #

Liquigas rider Ivan Basso (right), Rabobank rider Robert Gesink (second from right), Silence Lotto rider Cadel Evans (second from left) and Caisse D'Epargne rider and race leader Alejandro Valverde (left) fight through the rain during the 14th stage between Granada and Sierra de la Pandera September 13. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal) #

The peloton passes some icons of Spanish culture during the 17th stage between Ciudad Real and Talavera de la Reina September 16. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal) #

Xacobeo Galicia rider Ezequiel Mosquera (L) chats with his team doctor Mikel Martinez during the 17th stage between Ciudad Real and Talavera de la Reina September 16. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal) #

The peloton contests the 17th stage between Ciudad Real and Talavera de la Reina September 16. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza) #

Television coverage follows the peloton during the 18th stage between Talavera de la Reina and Avila September 17. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal) #

The peloton passes a fan on rollers during the 18th stage between Talavera de la Reina and Avila September 17. (REUTERS/Miguel Vidal) #

The peloton rides the 18th stage between Talavera de la Reina and Avila September 17. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza) #

The peloton rides the 19th stage from Avila to La Granja September 18. (JAIME REINA/AFP/Getty Images) #

The peloton rides through Madrid during the last stage September 20. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza) #

Caisse d'Epargne rider Alejandro Valverde (right) wearing the gold leader jersey celebrates his Vuelta victory on the podium with Euskaltel rider Samuel Sanchez, who finished second, in Madrid September 20. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza) #

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La Vuelta a Espana 2009