A big crash marred the finale of today's stage in the Vuelta a Andalucia but race leader Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) escaped the carnage. The Spaniard was happy to get safely through a potentially dangerous day and is confident that he can win the race overall.
After three days of demanding efforts, the Movistar Team and Alejandro Valverde had a calm day on stage three of the 60th Vuelta a Andalucía, the flattest of this year's race over 182km between Sanlúcar la Mayor and Sevilla. The bunch sprint did not lack polemics, as Belgian Roy Jans (Wanty) celebrated the win only to see its short winning margin being contested via a photo finish. German Gerald Ciolek (MTN) would eventually be declared winner.
Valverde, always well protected by his team-mates, stayed near the front of the field in the finale and rode past the day's only major trouble: a mass crash at the back of the group with less than 3km from the finish, which split the bunch into two groups and caused mayhem in the sprint.
The Spaniard still holds a 20-second gap in the lead over Richie Porte (Sky) before the race's decider on Sunday: 160km from Ubrique to Fuengirola with the Boyar (Cat-1), Viento (Cat-3) and Abejas (Cat-3) ascents in the opening part, plus the slopes to Mijas in the run-in to the finish.
"It was quite a calm day, but it still got a bit nervous in the finale," Valverde told Eurosport. "The crash was pretty big and it did happen just behind me - fortunately, we didn't have any problems and could reach the finish properly, so we're happy.
"There's only one day left and we hope to get over it in the best of ways. I have examined the profile and the stage will be pretty hard from the beginning, but as long as we get over the first 60-70k without troubles, I think we stand a huge chance to win this one."
You can read our preview of the race here.
23.04 - 27.04: CAC Nile Tour |
27.04: Liberazione Juniores |
27.04: E3 Saxo Classic |
27.04: Leiedal Koerse |
27.04: Ceratizit Festival Elsy Jacobs |
21.04 - 28.04: Presidential Cycling Tour of T... |
23.04 - 28.04: Tour de Romandie |
24.04 - 28.04: Tour of the Gila |
24.04 - 28.04: Tour of the Gila Women |
25.04 - 28.04: Gracia |
Ioannis ILIADIS 31 years | today |
Jacek MORAJKO 43 years | today |
Lloyd MONDORY 42 years | today |
Ed HOPPER 38 years | today |
Sheng SHA 26 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com