Roglic saves the leadership of Itzulia after falling in a stage won by Hermans

BARCELONA, 3 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Belgian cyclist Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck) won this Wednesday the third stage of the Itzulia, held between Ezpeleta and Altsasu over 190.9 kilometers, on a day without water but with several falls that affected the leader Primoz Roglic (BORA-hansgrohe ), who, bruised, saved the day, and Juan Ayuso (UAE Team Emirates).

The stage went to Quinten Hermans who was the fastest when facing a false flat finish line, heading upwards. In the center, with ease and strength, overcoming a speed bump that made some sprinters do unexpected wheelies, he beat Edoardo Zambanini (Bahrain-Victorious) and the Spanish Alex Aranburu (Movistar Team).

But without a doubt the highlight of the day, beyond the fight for the stage, was the hard fall, which was not seen on television, about 39 kilometers from the finish line of leader Primoz Roglic (BORA-hansgrohe), which left the Slovenian stopped for a couple of minutes before being able to get back on the bike.

Supported by his teammates Emanuel Buchmann and Matteo Sobrero, and along with other fallen riders, Roglic was able to rejoin the peloton about 13 kilometers later and after rinsing off more than 2 minutes lost, including the climb to Olaberria, a small 3rd category port. The platoon did not stop, but neither did they press nor did the ‘roosters’ attack, in a good gesture from the platoon towards the leader of this Itzulia.

It was a busy stage, in general. With 8 kilometers left, after the last bonus sprint of Etxarri-Aranatz – won by Remco Evenepoel (Soudal Quick-Step) in a fight with Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) – Nelson Oliveira (Movistar Team) attacked. and the Spaniards Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) and Gorka Izagirre (Cofidis).

Their adventure ended with 3.3 kilometers to go, with the ‘trains’ of the sprinter teams not willing to miss the opportunity. But the arrival was not peaceful, far from it, since with just over a kilometer to go, already within the safety time zone, there was another fall, this time of more than 10 runners, with Juan Ayuso involved and entering to the finish line, lagging behind but not wasting time, visibly hurt and, like Roglic, bruised.

Looking ahead to this Thursday, the fourth stage will start from Etxarri Aranatz and arrive at Legutio after 157.5 kilometers, on a route similar to that of this Wednesday although shorter and with two fewer passes. Even so, the Leintz-Gatzaga wall (3rd, 3.1 kilometers at 8.5 percent average slope) can move the men in the general classification.

2024-04-03 16:08:09
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