Vuelta a Madrid (st. 2)

Spaniard beaten by Soto (CJR) in controversial sprint against Sanz (EUS). Rosón remains in 5th overall, reinforces KOM lead.

A milimeter sprint saw Nelson Soto (CJR) taking the win in a fast stage two of the 2018 Vuelta a Madrid-135km between Alcobendas and San Sebastián de los Reyes-, covered at almost 45kph average in the northern part of the Spanish province.

The Colombian bested Carlos Barbero (Movistar Team, 2nd) after a controversial manoeuvre at the short finishing straight by Enrique Sanz (EUS, 3nd). Boxed in by Domingos Gonçalves (RPO), who had jumped away from the field inside the last kilometer, Sanz tried to make himself room between the Portuguese and Barbero, even using the Spaniard as a stand and almost taking himself and Barbero down, eventually making Soto’s win possible.

The incident overshadowed an otherwise fine race from the Movistar Team, strong and skilled to keep all moves on a leash -Barbero even making one of the moves-. A superb Jaime Rosón -still 5th overall- showed his strength on the climbs to cross first at the KOM prizes of El Espartal and La Trampa (Cat-3), reinforcing his lead as green jersey holder.

Fabio Duarte (MZN) is the new leader of the race as a result of the position countback, before the fast, decisive stage on Sunday, 100km (19 laps) around Madrid’s Paseo de la Castellana, just next to the Santiago Bernabéu stadium.

Picture 2 (c): laOtra / Telemadrid