Samitier 3rd in Setúbal; Carretero affected by crash
05 August 2021

Volta a Portugal (st. 1) / Burgos (st. 3)

Sergio gets into sprint of pursuit group -50 riders- behind unbeatable Rafael Reis (EFP) as Juri Hollmann remains under-23 leader, now fourth overall. Héctor down in approach to final climb, sustains several blows and bruises.

The Movistar Team started to experience in their legs the toughness of the Volta a Portugal during the first road stage -176km from Torres Vedras to Setúbal-, where Rafael Reis (EFP) left the peloton behind and reinforced his lead by winning solo.

Lluís Mas – third on yesterday’s prologue – during stage one. (c) Photo Gomez Sport

The Telefónica-backed squad, which got through the crucial Cat-2 ascent to Arrábida with four of its riders in the 50-strong pursuit group -Abner González, Juri Hollmann and Lluís Mas, who was later dropped-, saw Sergio Samitier getting into the sprint of a peloton with no big sprinters and taking 3rd place, behind Catalonia-based Dutchman Alex Molenaar (BBH). The big selection in the peloton makes Hollmann, still the under-23 leader behind Abner, climb onto 34th place overall, behind Reis, Moreira (EFP) and Diego López (EKP).

Hollmann on the podium with his under-23 leader jersey. (c) Photo Gomez Sport

The day’s negative note came as Héctor Carretero crashed with 32km to go. The ‘Manchego’ rider, who suffered several blows and bruises, was still able to finish the stage despite the main. His appearance in the upcoming stages will depend on the evolution of his injuries. Friday should be a good one for recover, if he starts, with the only real chance for the sprinters in Castelo Branco.

Carretero after his crash. (c) Photo Gomez Sport

Rubio top Blue climber at Picón Blanco

Over at their second race front of the day, stage three of the Vuelta a Burgos, the Movistar Team wasn’t able to conserve the purple jersey as GC leaders that rested on the shoulders of Gonzalo Serrano. The Spaniard struggled against the top climbers over the decisive climb of Picón Blanco (HC), where Romain Bardet (DSM) showed his world-class quality to take a solo win and the race lead despite a late crash.

Serrano during stage three. (c) Photo Gomez Sport

Einer Rubio, 1’35” down on the day’s winner into a third echelon of favourites, was the top Movistar Team finisher, which leaves the Colombian in 12th overall, less than ten seconds outside the top-ten. Gregor Mühlberger, over two minutes adrift, sits in 20th.

The Vuelta a Burgos will head into another bunch sprint in Aranda de Duero on Friday before the climbing showdown atop the traditional Lagunas de Neila, Saturday.

RESULTS > Stage 3 + GC

Male Team 04 - 15 Aug

Volta a Portugal POR

(2nd Stage) Torres Vedras - Setúbal (175.8 km)
  1. 01 Rafael Reis Efapel 4h12'23"
  2. 02 Alex Molenaar Burgos-BH +2"
  3. 03 Sergio Samitier Movistar Team "
  4. 23 Abner González Movistar Team "
  5. 35 Juri Hollmann Movistar Team "
  6. 66 Lluís Mas Movistar Team +1'34"
  7. 86 Mathias Norsgaard Movistar Team +9'34"
  8. 92 Juan Diego Alba Movistar Team "
  9. 121 Héctor Carretero Movistar Team +15'07"
See prov general ranking
  1. 01 Rafael Reis Efapel 4h18'33"
  2. 02 Mauricio Moreira Efapel +13"
  3. 03 Diego López Equipo Kern Pharma +17"
  4. 04 Juri Hollmann Movistar Team +21"
  5. 16 Abner González Movistar Team +30"
  6. 18 Sergio Samitier Movistar Team "
  7. 60 Lluís Mas Movistar Team +1'45"
  8. 86 Mathias Norsgaard Movistar Team +9'51"
  9. 96 Juan Diego Alba Movistar Team +10'21"
  10. 121 Héctor Carretero Movistar Team +15'37"
See stage ranking