Roelandts sprints to 4th in Aalter; Carapaz, Movistar Team attentive in Lerma
14 August 2019

BinckBank Tour (st. 3) / Vuelta a Burgos (st. 2)

Belgian manages his way through incidents, digs deep against top sprinters in tricky finish prior to Thursday's Ardennes circuit. Carapaz (11th today), Betancur (9th overall), Pedrero in good position before Picón Blanco climb tomorrow.

Jürgen Roelandts (Movistar Team) had on Wednesday’s stage three of the 2019 BinckBank Tour all good luck he lacked at the sprint on Tuesday, and notched up a fine 4th place in Aalter (167km) as he avoided all setbacks in a rainy, eventful final circuit.

The Belgian was smart and strong to follow the wheel of the race’s dominator so far, Sam Bennett (BOH), and drove past a crash into the final corner to enter the finishing straight in sixth place. Afer that, Roelandts was able to further improve his position and finish 4th, behind Bennett, Dylan Groenewegen -TJV, 2nd by the shortest of margins- and Jasper Philipsen (UAD, 3rd).

Roelandts on his way to 4th place in Aalter. (c) Marc van Hecke / BettiniPhoto

The Telefónica-backed squad, which otherwise finished the day with no incidents, will seek for new chances at Thursday’s short, explosive Houffalize circuit (96km), featuring three climbs to Saint-Roch (1.1km at 11.5%) and as many to Rau de Cowan, Rue Bois des Moines and Achouffe.

Burgos: Carapaz (11th), Betancur, Pedrero looking forward to Picón Blanco

In turn, the Vuelta a Burgos saw Caja Rural-RGA taking ‘revenge’ in Lerma, as Jon Aberasturi claimed victory on stage two ahead of race leader Giacomo Nizzolo (TDD), who had narrowly beaten the Spaniard’s team-mate Alex Aranburu by a short gap atop the Castillo on Tuesday.

Richard Carapaz is one of the riders most sought for by fans in Burgos. (c) Photo Gomez Sport

The Movistar Team kept focus with its GC riders all the towards the final, cobbled ascent, as Richard Carapaz (11th), Carlos Betancur -now 9th overall- and Antonio Pedrero finished inside the peloton’s main split, 5″ behind the winner. All three are within 20″ of the purple leader’s jersey heading into the first mountain finish, Thursday, at the Picón Blanco (HC).

2019 Vuelta a Burgos stage two – Results

Cover picture (c): BettiniPhoto