Vuelta a Burgos (st. 2)

Colombian attacks on soft Clunia hilltop finish, shows his power in view of Sunday's showdown in Neila. Keukeleire (OGE) wins stage, with Roux (FDJ) now in the lead

A climb of just 1.5 kilometers, with slopes around 3%, was the launching pad for Nairo Quintana’s first show of class on stage two of the 2013 Vuelta a Burgos. The ascent towards the roman city of Clunia, the ending point of a 157km trek starting at Roa de Duero, saw the Movistar Team leader moving at the front after bad luck avoided him getting into good position towards Wednesday’s finish in the Castillo de Burgos.

The Colombian continuied the move from Spanish road champion Jesús Herrada, going away early alongside Iparragirre and Larrinaga (EUK), Bilbao (EUS), Meier (OGE), Ferrari (CJR) and Mas (BUR), the latter one joining the man from Cuenca with a late attack which was brought back with only 3k from the bottom of the hill. Nairo’s acceleration did not find the desired effect and the most powerful riders ended up dictating their law, with Jens Keukeleire (OGE) victorious at the finish.

Quintana, 13th across the line, is now 14 seconds back on the new leader, Frenchman Anthony Roux (FDJ), with two mountain-top finish still to cover. The first one on Friday will take the peloton into Ojo Guareña, in the longest day of the race (175km, with five small, Cat-3 ascents.)