ZARAGOZA, Spain: Jasper Philipsen sprinted to victory at the Vuelta a Espana on Saturday to secure a second triumph in this year’s race after he claimed an opening day win.
The Belgian Alpecin-Deceuninck rider edged out Elia Viviani on the line on this eighth stage, with Ethan Vernon completing the podium.
Torstein Traen held onto the overall leader’s red jersey for a third stage, two-and-a-half minutes ahead of race favourite Jonas Vingegaard.
The flat 163 kilometre run from Monzon Templario to Zaragoza was ideal for the sprinters after two days in the mountains.
John Bou, Jose Luis Faura and local favourite Sergio Samitier made an early move and were allowed up the road by the peloton on a warm day in north-east Spain.
Fighting against a headwind on exposed roads the race moved slowly, playing against the chances of the early breakers.
The peloton caught the break with 17 kilometres remaining and it left the fastest riders to duke it out, with Philipsen triumphing and Lotto’s Italian veteran Viviani a fraction behind.
“We lost my teammate, I think he did an incredible lead-out again but he was not there, and I tried to communicate, but it’s difficult in the last kilometre,” said Philipsen.
“I had to find my way, take a bit of extra wind, and really come late because my legs were concrete. But I just managed to win, so I’m really happy, and the effort of the team has not been for nothing.”
On Sunday a hilly stage nine takes riders 195.5 kilometres from Alfaro to the Valdezcaray ski resort. – AFP
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