Vladimir Isaychev, the Russian rider of Team Katusha, took a very nice victory in stage 3 of the 2.HC stage race Vuelta a Burgos in Spain. Isaychev won the sprint from the breakaway group that was able to stay in front until the finish despite a furious chase from the peloton. In the final the Katusha rider outsprinted Matteo Busato from Southeast and Miguel Benito from Caja Rural.

“I had this stage in my mind even before the race. In the first two stages I tried to work for 100% for the team. At the same time I lost on purpose some time for the GC not to be a rider that would be chased down. So, this morning I was really motivated for the break and when the attacks started I was there to follow them. As there was no good collaboration in the first break, the peloton caught us. Later, after new attacks, I was able to go in another breakaway and this time everything worked well. We managed to stay in front until the finish.

“As we had a very high pace in the last few kilometers it was impossible to get away from our group. I preferred to await the sprint. I saw the finish line when we passed it on the previous laps so I knew where and when to start my rush. I was pretty sure regarding my sprint. Finally it worked perfectly. I am very happy with this victory and I hope it is just the beginning for me. I feel I have reached a good level now,” explained Vladimir Isaychev.

“We knew it would be a flat stage. That’s why we wanted to prepare the sprint for Rudi Selig in the final. But, at the same time, there was a possibility for the break, so when the attacks started, Vladimir Isaychev managed to get away in the break. There were several attacks in the break and every time Vladimir had the power to follow the attacking riders. In the final, because of the wind, the peloton split in different parts, while Team Astana started to control the race. The gap decreased fast but the peloton did not manage to catch the leaders. Vladimir did a very good sprint and took a solid win. We still have two decisive stages ahead and today’s success motivates us for new achievements,” added Katusha’s sports director Claudio Cozzi.

The third stage of the Vuelta a Burgos started in Castrojeriz and ended in Villadiego after 165 km of racing. After a number of attacks a group of 5 riders, including Vladimir Isaychev broke clear after 20 km of racing. They were able to take 3 minutes of advantage, but after 40 km the peloton caught them.

Another set of attack created a new breakaway after 10 km and Isaychev was there again. This group stayed in front of the race until the finish line and played the stage victory, taken by Katusha’s rider. The peloton finished just 15 seconds later. In the sprint from the main group Rudi Selig finished in 9th place.

“Because of the strong crosswind the peloton split in parts, but all our leaders were in front – Moreno, Silin and Machado finished the stage among the leaders without any problem,” said Claudio Cozzi.

In the general classification Luis León Sánchez from Astana still holds the lead, while Daniel Moreno, Tiago Machado and Egor Silin are in 11th, 12th and 13th positions, respectively.

The fourth stage of the Vuelta a Burgos will be held tomorrow – 161 km from Belorado to Pineda de la Sierra with a finish atop a 3rd category climb.