
Spain's Alejandro Valverde won a sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Tour of Catalonia on Tuesday.
Poland's Maciej Paterski maintained his overall lead in the race, following the 191.8km run from Mataro to Olot.
He had won Monday's opening stage after being part of a three-man breakaway that finished almost three minutes ahead of the peloton.
Movistar's Valverde edged out team-mate and compatriot Jose Joaquim Rojas and Switzerland's Martin Elminger of IAM in the sprint finish after more than five hours in the saddle.
Four riders got in the day's breakaway but in cold and wet weather, New Zealand's Sam Bewley, Dutchman Tom Stamsnijder, Tsgabu Grmay of Ethiopia and Spain's Luis Mas (Caja Rural) failed to hold on despite more than 170km in the lead.
Having opened a gap of more than five minutes at one point, they were swallowed up with 18km left as Paterski's CCC team took up the chase and the stage was set for a bunch sprint.
The bumpy finale was ideally suited to Valverde, who did not disappoint.
Wednesday's 156.6km stage starts and finishes in Girona.
Former Tour de France winners Chris Froome of Britain and Spain's Alberto Contador are among the riders expected to challenge Valverde for overall victory, although last year's winner Joaquim Rodriguez pulled out of the race on Sunday due to a stomach virus.
Source: AFP
GMT 22:27 2018 Thursday ,13 December
Russian swimmer Prigoda takes gold in China with new WR in men’s 200m breaststrokeGMT 11:54 2018 Tuesday ,11 December
Ajax and Bayern in tasty Champions League duel for first placeGMT 07:42 2018 Thursday ,15 November
After IOC pressure, Spain lets Kosovo athletes compete under flagGMT 14:21 2018 Tuesday ,30 October
US Mayweather to fight Russia’s Nurmagomedov strictly under UFC rulesGMT 09:23 2018 Thursday ,11 October
UEFA abstains from broadcasting games in Israeli settlementsGMT 12:32 2018 Friday ,28 September
Germany ready to learn from Russia’s experience of hosting 2018 FIFA World CupGMT 11:24 2018 Wednesday ,26 September
Malaysian football latest newsGMT 14:48 2018 Sunday ,09 September
Spain Team Coached by Luis Enrique Looks StrongMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor