Catalunya – Another win for Luka Mezgec

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Giant Shimano show off yet another sprinter as Luka Mezgec wins another of the Sprint stages in Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

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Catalunya – Another win for Luka Mezgec

Stage 2
Luka Mezgec has won his second consecutive stage in the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. A winner on the opening stage, Luka was in the leader’s jersey which meant lots of licks at the front of the peloton for his teammates. They had to chase behind the day’s breakaway of six riders and keep their advantage in check as the weather conditions deteriorated and set up a testing day in the saddle.

stage2Catalunya

Photo: www.voltacatalunya.cat

The race came back together just five kilometres from the finish line and with Luka and the team having navigated the small climbs en-route, they set about positioning themselves for the finish. They safely made it through the roundabouts in the final few kilometres, and coming into the final 500 metres, Luka was sitting a bit far back in around 10th position.

As the peloton dived down the left hand side of the road, Luka popped out of the line, headed over to the right and powered past everyone, leaving the rest to fight for second place.

Luka, said afterwards “my sprint has really come on after working hard over the winter with the team coaches and experts and it’s great to feel the hard work paying off now. I have to thank my teammates for their hard work again today. It is never easy when it is wet and cold but they were great.”

“The hills were fine today, much easier than on paper. We had to push hard to get Tommy Voeckler back in the end but after that it wasn’t too hectic as the race was strung out and the guys had put me in position.”

“I was freezing on the bike on the downhill at the end and was a bit unsure of how the legs would react in the sprint. At 500m to go, I was not in perfect position but when I jumped my legs were good.”

GC Battle on Hold
For the GC teams, it was another day to stay out of trouble but Sky’s ambitions took a knock when they lost Richie Porte. Whilst Chris Froome finished safely in the main group for the second day in succession, Richie Porte withdrew from the race, continuing to feel the effects of the illness that forced him out of Tirreno-Adriatico.

“I’m obviously not 100 percent. After my illness at Tirreno, I went home and just haven’t quite been able to get over it. Training is one thing, but when you come to the race, there’s nowhere to hide. Unfortunately today I had to stop but I think long-term I’ll be able to go back, get healthy, recover and re-start my season.”

STAGE 2
1 MEZGEC Luka Team Giant-Shimano 03:57:49
2 FERRARI Roberto Lampre – Merida
3 RATTO Daniele Cannondale
4 ALAPHILIPPE Julian Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
5 BURGHARDT Marcus BMC Racing Team
6 VIGANO Davide Caja Rural – Seguros RGA
7 VALLéE Boris Lotto Belisol
8 VAN DER SANDE Tosh Lotto Belisol
9 HOWARD Leigh Orica GreenEDGE
10 PATERSKI Maciej CCC Polsat Polkowice 00:03

24 BETANCUR Carlos AG2R La Mondiale
28 CONTADOR Alberto Tinkoff-Saxo
35 FROOME Christopher Team Sky
36 QUINTANA Nairo Movistar Team
37 URAN Rigoberto Omega Pharma – Quick-Step
45 MARTIN Daniel Garmin Sharp
50 HESJEDAL Ryder Garmin Sharp
52 RODRIGUEZ Joaquim Team Katusha
53 HORNER Chris Lampre – Merida
101 REBELLIN Davide CCC Polsat Polkowice
106 VOIGT Jens Trek Factory Racing
109 SáNCHEZ Samuel BMC Racing Team
126 YATES Adam Orica GreenEDGE
160 EDMONDSON Joshua Team Sky 02:29
165 VOECKLER Thomas Team Europcar 02:34

OVERALL
1 MEZGEC Luka Team Giant-Shimano 8:06:42
2 FERRARI Roberto Lampre – Merida 0:14
3 HOWARD Leigh Orica GreenEDGE
4 ALAPHILIPPE Julian Omega Pharma – Quick-Step 0:16

 

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