John Degenkolb claimed his fourth victory in this year’s Vuelta a Espana, after out sprinting Michael Matthews during stage 17 in A Coruña today.
Race Details
A five-man breakaway group containing Lluis Mas Bonet (Caja Rural), Favilli, Daniel Teklehaymanot (MTN-Qhubeka), Dennis, and Bob Jungels (Trek Factory Racing), got underway early on in today’s stage. And, from there, the escapees subsequently built up a sizable advantage of around 4 minutes over the peloton.
However, as the race headed into the final 10 kilometers, cohesion amongst the breakaway group began to break down – causing their lead to fall below a minute. As a result, Dennis, Favilli, and Jungels decided to ride clear.
With 8.9 kilometers remaining, Guillaume Levarlet (Cofidis) and Johan Le Bon (FDJ.fr) attempted to bridge themselves from the peloton to the lead trio. However, their efforts fell short.
With 5 kilometers remaining, Sky seized control of the pace setting back in the chase – with Peter Kennaugh driving the front.
As the race entered into the final kilometers, the three leaders began to fall into the grasp of the peloton. As a result, Dennis and Favilli made a last effort to stay away with a final attack. However, the duo was quickly caught up in the finale.
As the field began shaping up for a bunch sprint, Degenkolb and Mathews emerged side-by-side in a showdown for the line. And, with a awesome turn of speed, the German rider out powered the young Australian.
Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory Racing) finished in third – just behind the leaders.
Meanwhile, Alberto Contador continues to lead the race, with a 1:36 margin over Alejandro Valverde.
Stage 17 Results GER 1 DEGENKOLB, John (GIANT-SHIMANO) 4:26:07 AUS 2 MATTHEWS, Michael (ORICA GreenEDGE) SUI 3 CANCELLARA, Fabian (TREK FACTORY RACING) BEL 4 STUYVEN, Jasper (TREK FACTORY RACING) ITA 5 FERRARI, Roberto (LAMPRE – MERIDA) ESP 6 FERNANDEZ, Koldo (GARMIN SHARP) FRA 7 SOUPE, Geoffrey (FDJ.fr) SUI 8 WYSS, Danilo (BMC RACING) ITA 9 CARUSO, Damiano (CANNONDALE) ESP 10 REYNES MIMO, Vicente (IAM CYCLING) BEL 11 GILBERT, Philippe (BMC RACING) ITA 12 GUARNIERI, Jacopo (ASTANA) NED 13 KELDERMAN, Wilco (BELKIN) ESP 14 MATE MARDONES, Luis Angel (COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS) FRA 15 MARTINEZ, Yannick (EUROPCAR) ITA 16 BENNATI, Daniele (TINKOFF-SAXO) FRA 17 JEROME, Vincent (EUROPCAR) NED 18 LIGTHART, Pim (LOTTO BELISOL) DEN 19 ANDERSEN, Michael Valgren (TINKOFF-SAXO) GER 20 MARTENS, Paul (BELKIN) ESP 21 IZAGUIRRE INSAUSTI, Gorka (MOVISTAR) BEL 22 ZINGLE, Romain (COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS) ARG 23 RICHEZE, Maximiliano Ariel (LAMPRE – MERIDA) ITA 24 NOCENTINI, Rinaldo (AG2R LA MONDIALE) NED 25 GESINK, Robert (BELKIN) GBR 26 FROOME, Christopher (SKY) ESP 27 VALVERDE BELMONTE, Alejandro (MOVISTAR) GER 28 NERZ, Dominik (BMC RACING) ESP 29 NIEVE ITURALDE, Mikel (SKY) FRA 30 SICARD, Romain (EUROPCAR)
General Classification after Stage 17 ESP 1 CONTADOR VELASCO, Alberto (TINKOFF-SAXO) 67:51:07 ESP 2 VALVERDE BELMONTE, Alejandro (MOVISTAR) + 1:36 GBR 3 FROOME, Christopher (SKY) + 1:39 ESP 4 RODRIGUEZ OLIVER, Joaquin (KATUSHA) + 2:29
You must be logged in to post a comment.
