Report/Result: Vuelta Andalucia

Thibaut Pinot outsprints Alberto Contador to win stage 2 of Vuelta Andalucia (Ruta del Sol), Contador leads overall

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Report/Result: Vuelta Andalucia

Thibaut Pinot outsprints Alberto Contador to win stage 2 of Vuelta Andalucia (Ruta del Sol), Contador leads overall

Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) notched up the win on Thursday’s stage two of the 63rd Vuelta Ciclista a Andalucía after overcoming Alberto Contador (TFS) into the final meters of the Cat-1 Peña del Águila ascent. The Spaniard now leads as Alejandro Valverde (Movistar Tram) made up ground from a less-than-optimal counterattack to finish in 3rd place.

Photo: https://twitter.com/VCANDALUCIA

Thibaut Pinot “This victory is good. As much as I was disillusioned after the first stage on Wednesday because I was unable to follow the best, so much today I had great sensations. I never panicked, I managed my efforts on the last climb without rushing. When I saw Contador in front of us, turning around every twenty seconds to see where we were, I realized that he was starting to slow”.

Alberto Contador’s powerful and thrilling attack in the final three kilometers of stage two at the Vuelta a Andalucia earned him second place and the new leader’s jersey of the five-day race.

It was a brave move by Contador whose fierce acceleration opened a significant gap, but it was still far to go to the line, allowing his opposition to close back time. Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) was the only rider to make it back to the Spaniard’s wheel, catching and overtaking Contador in the final 300 meters to take the stage honors, leaving a gasping Contador in second place.

Photo: https://twitter.com/VCANDALUCIA

“I knew it would be hard to win today,” said Contador. “I attacked, and it started off really well but my heart rate was into the red – it went up to 200bpm! It turned out to be a long ride in for me, although it wasn’t bad, but I thought my heart was going to come out of my mouth as if I was a junior again!”

“Yes, I could have waited a bit longer, but I didn’t want it to come back together the way it did yesterday. There was a headwind, which made it hard for me, and I didn’t know the final. If I had made it alone into the final 200 meters, perhaps I might have held on. It’s a shame that I couldn’t win the stage, above all for my teammates, and now I need to recover and see what I can do tomorrow”.

“My teammates were incredible again today,” added Contador. “They worked hard to bring back the breaks and helped make the climb difficult. It was the type of climb where you must work hard to make it hard. I wasn’t just thinking of winning the stage, but of punishing the opposition so that they would finish the stage exhausted. The more exhausted they are today, the better our chances tomorrow”.

“In the end, it’s my first race of the year, and I can really feel that. But I’m very happy. It’s a shame that I couldn’t win the stage, above all for my teammates, and now I need to recover and see what I can do tomorrow. Winning the GC is going to be hard. There are lots of riders within a few seconds, especially Izagirre who is a good time trialist. I have not seen the route of the time trial; we will go and see that tomorrow morning. Let’s hope it’s good for me.”

Alejandro Valverde: “Alberto’s acceleration was really strong, and I had to set my own rhythm to keep up. I went stronger through the last part of the ascent and it ended up being a good recovery. I’m happy with the race so far – a win and a third place, remaining close to the GC lead, can’t complain. Tomorrow’s time trial will be a tough one, let’s see how we react to those slopes all over the course. The riders ahead of me in the overall standings are strong specialists, so it will be hard to make up ground.”

Tomorrow’s time trial, only 11.9 kilometers in length, will be exciting and decisive.

Stage
1. Thibaut Pinot, FDJ
2. Alberto Contador, Trek – Segafredo @02
3. Alejandro Valverde, Movistar Team @07
4. Ion Izagirre, Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team
5. Mikel Landa, Team Sky 0:09
6. Diego Rosa, Team Sky
7. Wout Poels, Team Sky :13
8. Sebastien Reichenbach, FDJ :28
9. Pieter Weening, Roompot – Nederlandse Loterij 0:46
10. Floris De Tier, Team LottoNL-Jumbo

GC
1. Alberto Contador, Trek – Segafredo
2. Thibaut Pinot, FDJ 0:03
3. Alejandro Valverde, Movistar Team 0:05
4. Ion Izagirre, Bahrain Merida Pro Cycling Team
5. Diego Rosa, Team Sky 0:07
6. Wout Poels, Team Sky 0:11
7. Mikel Landa, Team Sky 0:12
8. Sebastien Reichenbach, FDJ 0:26
9. Rigoberto Uran, Cannondale-Drapac Pro Cycling Team 0:49
10. Pieter Weening, Roompot – Nederlandse Loterij 1:08

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