MADRID, 21 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Irish cyclist Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) won the sprint this Sunday in the third stage of La Vuelta a España and the last in the Netherlands, 193.2 kilometers starting and finishing in Breda, for which he achieved his second consecutive victory, while Edoardo Affini takes a red jersey that is still in the hands of Jumbo-Visma.
Bennett, who with this victory already has ten Grand Tour victories in his professional career, once again exhibited his level in the last stretch of the race to repeat the feat he already achieved in Utrecht. Thus, the Irishman was once again the fastest in the final sprint to overcome his rivals and take partial victory for the second consecutive day.
The Danish Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo), who was world champion on the road in 2019, once again had honey on his lips and finished second, ahead of the British Daniel McLay (Team Arkéa-Samsic), who closed the podium after the massive sprint of the runners.
For his part, the three-time champion of the Spanish round Primoz Roglic entered the race lead to continue as the undercover leader of a Vuelta that once again changed the red jersey of owner -due to the stallometer-, but not of the team. Leader to date Mike Teunissen led the line of his team at the head of the pack, seeking Roglic’s protection until the last 3 kilometers.
In this way, the Dutch squad maintains its privileged position in the general classification, with six riders at the top of the classification, thanks to its victory in the team time trial of the opening stage.
Beyond the triumph at the finish line, the stage was marked by the escape of seven cyclists. An intense pulse due to the strong pace of the peloton, which was attentive to the nervousness of today’s route and the threat of wind.
Even so, the good understanding of the group allowed them to fight for the mountain points in Rijzendeweg – a fourth category pass and crowned 59.4 kilometers from the finish line – where De Gendt (Lotto Soudal) crowned in the lead with Van den Berg (EF Education First-EasyPost to wheel, who secured the mountain jersey before the rest day.
Finally, the last resisters of the group were hunted at 12 kilometers, giving way to a new resolution to the sprint as open as the previous one. The negative news of the day was the fall of Itamar Einhorn and Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech). As a consequence, the latter was forced to leave.
On Monday, the cycling caravan will move from the Netherlands to Spain, the first day of rest after the three stages disputed. La Vuelta will return to the streets next Tuesday in a mid-mountain race between Vitoria-Gasteiz and Laguardia, with 152.5 kilometres.
–CLASSIFICATIONS.
-Stage.
1. Sam Bennett (IRL/Bora-Hansgrohe) 04:05:53.
2. Mads Pedersen (DIN/Trek-Segafredo) same time.
3. Daniel Mclay(GBR/Arkéa-Samsic) mt
4. Bryan Coquard(FRA/Cofidis) m.t.
5. Fabian Lienhard (SUI/Groupama-FDJ) mt
-General.
1. Edoardo Affini (ITA / Jumbo-Visma) 08:20:07.
2. Sam Oomen (NED/Jumbo-Visma) m.t.
3. Cousin Roglic(ESL/Jumbo-Visma) mt
4. Sepp Kus (USA/Jumbo-Visma) mt
5. Mike Teunissen (NED/Jumbo-Visma) mt