It is true that a phase of these characteristics is usually described as a transition, because it is ‘in no man’s land’ after the hardness of the mountain and given its characteristics, but when push comes to shove, when you have to climbing on the bike and pedaling is not as easy as it seems. First because anything can happen on any given day and then because it’s usually one of those days at the office where the worker, almost unconsciously, has to shut down the computer when the work day is over.
And this fourth round of 103rd edition of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya169 kilometers, in between Sort and the city of Lleida It was run at full speed, at an average of 46 km/h. In the middle of the month it shows only mountainous poverty, Port d’Àgersecond category, which did not become a wall for almost any runner, and from this point the race was launched, favored by the high speed of the three intermediate sprints before reaching Lleida.
The three heroes of the day
The suggestion of days like today, where riders called to do great things in the general classification are erased and where the weekend’s two difficult final stages still weigh heavily on the mind, is taken advantage of of stage-hunting cyclists . And when you think of this adjective you can’t help but think of Belgian Thomas de Gendtwho this year retired from cycling, joined by the Norwegian Idar Andersen and Pamplona Urko Berrade.
He Rider of Team Kern Pharma He was the first to stay from the leading trio, when the difference in the peloton was almost two minutes. De Gendt He sped down the middle of the straight and it was a wall for the pharmaceutical runner who somehow had the joy of being picked as the day’s most defensive.
They will not last many kilometers at the front of the stage From Gendt and Andersenwhich was neutralized after 30 kilometers. The veteran Luis Angel Maté took advantage of the last intermediate sprint of Les Borges Blanques to have their minutes of glory. He was caught 8 kilometers from the finish line, when the sprinters team could smell the finish line.
He Ineos team with Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal was the one that led the most kilometers in the approach to capital of ‘Terra Ferma’. The key is to avoid the danger of roundabouts and know how to properly negotiate them. One of the teams that did the best was the American team EF Education-Easy Post, your runner is for later Marijn van den Berg was imposed by force on the streets of Lleida, where the Volta arrived after eleven years of absence. Behind him, the Belgian Arne Marit and from Latvian Emils Liepins.
First victory of the season and fourth of his professional career for Marijn van den Bergwhose contract with the English educational team ends on December 31.
This Friday Tadej Pogacar He will defend his leader’s jersey on day five where the escape has more options to reach the finish line. After leaving Altafulla the stage has reached Viladecans after two 2nd class climbs and the intermediate sprint of Sant Vicenç dels Horts at the gates of the Viladecans.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
