Vuelta a Andalucía (st. 2)

Spanish fastman from Movistar Team unable to profit from Blues' great work in finale; Ruta del Sol still led by Wellens (LTS) before demanding TT on Friday.

Neither the steady, gentle climbing near the end, the six-man early break nor the demanding – considering the early season – 216km on stage two of the 2019 Vuelta a Andalucía, from Sevilla to Torredonjimeno, could avoid a bunch sprint in the Ruta del Sol on Thursday, with European champion Matteo Trentin (MTS) grabbing the victory.

The Movistar Team, more focused at this race on stage success yet with Rafa Valls, Carlos Verona and Edu Prades still within the overall top-20, made a great effort to set up the sprint for Carlos Barbero. However, the Blues’ coordinated performance in the last 3km did not allow the Spaniard keeping a good position at the finishing straight, ultimately taking 11th place.

#65RdS Matteo Trentin (MTS) se lleva la 2ª etapa de la @VCANDALUCIA al sprint en Torredonjimeno. Pese al buen empuje de los Movistar Team en los kilómetros finales, @BarberoCbc tuvo que conformarse con finalizar hacia la 10ª posición prov. pic.twitter.com/gEGXMFV9AE

— Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) February 21, 2019

The José Luis Arrieta / Max Sciandri-led squad will face a very demanding ITT stage three on Friday, crucial for the overall result, with two ascents in its 16km route: the Alto de 7 Pilillas and the grueling final slopes at La Guardia de Jaén.

** TT start times (Friday 22nd, all CET – local): 14.58 Roelandts, 15.03 Barbero, 15.21 Rojas, 15.26 Carretero, 15.33 Prades, 15.36 Verona, 15.38 Valls.