Lampre-Merida were once again protagonist thanks to a breakaway (5th day in a row) and thanks to another rider in the top 5 in stage 6 of the Vuelta.
The very high speed in the first part of the stage (48,3 km/h in the first hour) had prevented an escape (each time, a blue-fuchsia-green rider was part of the attempts) until Durasek and four riders (Gautier, Terpstra, Cummings and Velits) got clear after 60km
The peloton, led by Giant-Alpecin, did not allow to the breakaway to have more than 4'30, ending the chase with 10 km to go (only Cummings succeded in resisting further).
An amazing attack gave Chaves the victory and the red jersey, while Plaza, after having tried to close the gap to chasers Martin and Dumoulin, obtained the 4th place, 11" behind the winner.
Cattaneo crashed without consequences in the final kilometers.
"When the action of a great Durasek was over, my teammates began to work in order to allow me to approach the final climb in the front position of the bunch,” Plaza explained. “This fact was very helpful to me, since it gave me the opportunity to battle in the front positions: Chaves was unbeatable, I tried to achieve the best possible result and I'm satisfied with the 4th place."
"It was good to be in the break but the peloton wouldn't let us. They wanted the stage. They caught us with 10 km to go. It was a hard effort but I'll try to be good again in the higher stages. The goal for the team is still a stage win," Durasek said.
17.04 - 21.04: Tour de Tunisie |
18.04 - 21.04: Eroica Juniores |
19.04 - 21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
20.04 - 21.04: Gipuzkoa Klasika |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège |
21.04: Giro della Romagna |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem U23 |
21.04: EPZ Omloop van Borsele |
21.04: Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes |
21.04: Gent-Wevelgem Junior |
Miha SVAB 40 years | today |
Anna FAORO 27 years | today |
Rolf SØRENSEN 59 years | today |
Steve SCHETS 40 years | today |
Eriks Toms GAVARS 27 years | today |
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