Protests on the finish line against the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team and in favor of Palestine have forced the … Meta line 8 kilometers and finish the stage before the start of the climb to the last port in MOS. This time, unlike what happened in Bilbao, in addition to validating times for the general, there has been the winner of the stage and has been Egan Bernal (INEOS), which has surpassed Mikel Landa (Soudal) in the alternative sprint. A decaffeinated victory, but that is the first victory in a great Colombian champion since the 2021 Italian turn.
The return has reported that “due to a protest that is blocking the race, the stage winner and the times for the general classification will be decided 8 kilometers for the finish line.” There were hundreds of protesters who had placed themselves in the middle of the road. On this occasion the integrity of cyclists has not endangered.
Already in the Alto de Prado, less than 30 kilometers from finishing the stage, Protected Manifesters have cut a trunk to put it on the road and block it to the passage of the cyclists. However, the police have retired in time and has had no incidence in the stage. But the return has not been able to control the Meta protests and has chose to preserve the safety of cyclists. The bulk of the protests was two kilometers from the end of the stage.
The trunk that the Police have retired on time in the Alto de Prado and that has left the protest without incident.
The race was being spectacular and the tour invited a beautiful ending. Gasteizarra Mikel Landa, which was already very active last week looking for leaks and moving in several stages, was demonstrating that the back pain that forced him to lower the pace in Biilbao was overcome. The Basque Corridor has entered the escape of the day and in Alto da Groba has accelerated the rhythm. He has left alone and then has crowned in the lead, but next to Braz (Groupama), Rolland (Groupama), Bernal (INEOS) and Denz (Bora), but the group has been reduced and has remained in a hand in hand between Gasteiztarra and the Colombian champion.
But 15 kilometers for the end the return has reported that the stage 8 kilometers were stopped before Mos’s goal, so there would be no final port and the winner was going to decide in a decaffeinated sprint, in which the fastest has been Bernal, although he has not held the victory.
Behind, everything remains the same. It could be a conducive day to see differences. The abandonment of Campenaerts left Visma without one of the best Vingegaard squires. In addition, UAE has sent Marc Soler, who was in the persecutors’ group, before the last port to wrap Almeida. Even the Danish, leader of the return, has suffered a scare when he has punctured and has had to get off and change his bike with his partner Tulett. But finally there has been no fight and everything remains the same in the classification, although Almeida already has a chance less. Tomorrow, another chapter in El Morirero.
