Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) has won the second stage of the Vuelta a España and has put himself back on the map. The Irishman, who had been on the bum for quite some time, was the fastest in a bunch sprint. Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Deceuninck) finished 3rd. Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) is the new leader.
The 2nd stage in a nutshell:
Winner of the day (1): Sam Bennett is the first individual winner of the Vuelta 2022. The Irishman showed his good form and knocked out sprint bombs Pedersen and Merlier at the finish.
Winners of the day (2): Dutch party in Utrecht. Julius van den Berg captured the first mountain jersey of this Vuelta and Mike Teunissen is the new red jersey after his 4th place in this stage.
Loser of the Day: The Vuelta of Steff Cras (Lotto-Soudal) is unfortunately already over. The Belgian climber crashed with Poels and teammate Malecki and was forced to leave the race.
Fierce battle for the first mountain jersey
On paper a normal sprinter stage, but today’s ride had a little more tension on the way.
After 4 kilometers the early flight of the day was already a fact. 5 riders, including Dutchmen Julius van den Berg and Jetse Bol, went on an adventure.
The peloton seemed to give the group a safe-conduct at first, but soon changed its mind. The lead of the 5th dropped visibly and very soon the group was seized by the peloton led by Jimmy Janssens and Floris De Tier (Alpecin-Deceuninck).
Reason for the catch-up attempt? After 100 kilometers there was a short climb where mountain points could be picked up. The first mountain jersey of the Vuelta was therefore waiting for a rider.
The peloton came close, but just not close enough. The 5 were just able to finish the song and home rider Julius van den Berg captured the coveted jersey.
Read more below the photo.
Bennett makes it in Utrecht
The leading group then gave up and a new phase in the race was created.
The peloton seemed satisfied with the ordered sprint and few riders were ready to surprise the suit.
Luis Angel Maté tried it on his own, but the Spaniard was quickly caught again.
So sprint.
But before the winner was known, Cras, Poels and Malecki still hit the asphalt. A solid taste that immediately means the end for the Vuelta of Steff Cras (Lotto-Soudal). Our compatriot stayed put and clearly couldn’t go any further.
On the way, Mads Pedersen had already taken care of the intermediate sprint and in the final sprint the Dane seemed to be on his way to victory for a long time.
Danny van Poppel, however, came up with a great lead-out and the Dutchman catapulted Sam Bennett past Pedersen in the extreme.
Tim Merlier eventually becomes 3rd. Mike Teunissen fell just short of the podium, but was allowed to celebrate in the end because he can drive around in the red jersey tomorrow.
Sam Bennett: “Good feeling to win again in a Grand Tour”
Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe): “Danny van Poppel brought me with a lot of speed and catapulted me past Pedersen. So it is really the merit of the team.”
“It’s a good feeling to be able to win another stage in a Grand Tour. I’ve won at least one stage in every Grand Tour I rode since 2018 and I’m happy to continue that series.”
Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma): “Of course we are here for Primoz (Roglic), but the team told me this morning that I could also participate in the sprint if Roglic was safe and sound. I want to thank everyone for that. It is very special to be able to wear the red jersey in the Netherlands. “
Bennett beats everyone in Utrecht
Pedersen wins the intermediate sprint, an omen?
Ay ai ai! That looks really bad on Steff Cras
| rit | datum | type rit | start-finish | total | winner | unfortunately |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utrecht – Utrecht | 23,3 km | VAT | Sunk | ||
| 2 | ‘s-Hertogenbosch – Utrecht | 175,1 km | Bennett | Teunissen | ||
| 3 | Breda – Breda | 193,2 km | Bennett | Affine | ||
| 4 | Vitoria-Gasteiz – Laguardia | 152,5 km | ||||
| 5 | Irun – Bilbao | 187,2 km | ||||
| 6 | Bilbao – Pico Jano | 181,2 km | ||||
| 7 | Camargo – Cistierna | 190 km | ||||
| 8 | Pola de Laviana – Colláu Fancuaya | 153,4 km | ||||
| 9 | Villaviciosa – Les Praeres | 171,4 km | ||||
| 10 | Elche-Alicante | 30,9 km | ||||
| 11 | Alhama de Murcia – Cabo de Gata | 191,2 km | ||||
| 12 | Salobrena – Penas Blancas | 192,7 km | ||||
| 13 | Ronda – Montilla | 168,4 km | ||||
| 14 | Montoro – Sierra de la Pandera | 160,3 km | ||||
| 15 | Martos – Sierra Nevada | 149,6 km | ||||
| 16 | Sanlucar de Barrameda – Tomares | 189,4 km | ||||
| 17 | Aracena – Tentudía Monastery | 162,3 km | ||||
| 18 | Trujillo – Alto de Piornal | 192 km | ||||
| 19 | Talavera of the Queen – Talavera of the Queen | 138,3 km | ||||
| 20 | Moralzarzal – Port of Navacerrada | 181 km | ||||
| 21 | The Roses of Madrid – Madrid | 96,7 km |
