Calm finish for Valverde, Mas ahead of Picón Blanco

Vuelta a Burgos (st. 2)

Movistar Team’s two main leaders for Vuelta a Burgos safe through day two after good support from team-mates; duo 8″ off race lead before Thursday’s first mountain finish in Spain.

/ Today’s route

When it came to the day’s profile, stage two of the Vuelta a Burgos was the first real chance for the sprinters. 168km with no categorized climbs between Castrojeriz and Villadiego meant that only a small ascent near the finish (5%) could defy the strongest teams with a chance for the adventurers.

/ Weather report

It was warmer than on Tuesday, with maximum temperatures up to 31ºC, as the wind blew quite softer than the eve, which made for a predictably easier day for everyone in the field.

/ Keys to the race

• The Spanish ProTeams and Continental squads were again a big portion of the early break today, with Joel Nicolau (CJR), Ángel Fuentes (BBH), Kiko Galván (EKP) -back after his adventure on Tuesday- and Riccardo Verza (KTX) alongside Alessandro Fedeli (NIP). Bora-Hansgrohe soon took over the lead of the main peloton as GC leaders with Austrian Felix Grossschartner.
• The Movistar Team distributed its pieces over today’s course intelligently, with Carlos Verona, Lluís Mas and Imanol Erviti spending the most energy to take care of Alejandro Valverde y Enric Mas near the front. Neither of them suffered a single setback, even if today’s chaotic sprint saw a crash with 200m to go, with Enrique Sanz (EKP) notably involved.

• Fernando Gaviria (UAD), the rider who took the most risks at the final turn, notched up a convincing victory ahead of Arnaud Démare (GFC) and Sam Bennett (DQT). The GC gaps didn’t change, with both Valverde and Enric Mas -who was included into the same group as ‘Bala’ by the race jury after a revision over stage one late on Tuesday evening- still 8″ off the winner atop the Castillo.

/ Upcoming goals

Thursday will mark the first of two big duels for the GC contenders of the Vuelta a Burgos. About twenty riders will reach the first key moment of the race with the same time as they tackle the Picón Blanco (HC; 7.8km @ 9%). The mountain-top finish will be preceded by four other Cat-3 climbs: La Mota, Escalerón, Ailanes and Retuerta.

Cover picture (c): Photo Gomez Sport