Calpe (Spain) (AFP)
Colombian Nairo Quintana (Movistar) won Sunday the 2nd stage of the Tour of Spain in Calpe (south-east), distorting company with a small group of strongmen after a great offensive that allowed the Irishman Nicolas Roche (Sunweb) to endorse the leader's red jersey.
In a stage of 199.6 km which, on paper, did not present any particular difficulty, the favorites were explained in the last ascent of the day, placed to 25 km of the arrival. And a group of six strong then broke loose under Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma), trapping the wearer of the red jersey Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana), before Quintana escapes 3 km from the goal.
Roche, who had already worn the red jersey one day in 2013, took second place in the stage ahead of Roglic, third, while the group of favorites arrived at 37 seconds from Quintana. The latter, winner of the Tour of Spain 2016 but missed out on his Tour de France this year (8th) despite a stage victory, moved to the second step of the provisional general classification, two seconds from Roche.
On Monday, the third stage (188 km) will lead the Ibi riders to Alicante (south-east), with a more rolling course that could finally smile to the sprinters.
© 2019 AFP