Danish rider Mads Pedersen dominated the finish of the race in the thirteenth stage of the Vuelta aray. Belgian Remco Evenepoel continues to carry the leader’s red jersey after the collective completion of the 171km flat track. He is still 2:41 minutes ahead of reigning Slovenian champion Primoj Roglic, who finished ninth in today’s sprint.
In the final challenge uphill, German sprinter Pascal Ackermann was the first to attack. Pedersen made use of his very early start, who worked his way up to first place and took a solid win. France’s Brian Cocar also advanced on Ackermann.
The 22-year-old Evenpole finished comfortably on the main square with all of the main competitors finishing 25th. The fifth man in the standings, Juan Ayuso, who continues to race despite testing positive for the Corona virus, ranked three places behind him. The 19-year-old Spaniard has not had to withdraw thanks to the fact that his COVID-19 tests show low levels of the virus and he is asymptomatic.
The battle will continue on the overall standings on Saturday, when the program includes a demanding stage of 160.3 km with the final climb to the Sierra de la Bandera at 1,815 metres.
Vuelta a Cycling Stage Race – Stage 13 (Ronda – Montella, 171 km):
1. Pedersen (Danish/Trek Segafredo) 3:46:01, 2. Coccard (Father/Cofidis), 3. Ackermann (German/UAE), 4. Wright (Brett/Bahrain Victorious), 5 Dr. Van Poppel (Netherlands / Bora Hansgrohe), 6. Bacher (Fr. / Groupama-FDG), 7. Izkora (Sp./Burgos-BH), 8. Van Giles (Plug. / Lotto-Sudal), 9. Roglich (Slovenia / Jumbo-Visma), 10. Berrade (Šp. / Kern Pharma) At the same time,… 97. beetroot (CZ/Kern Pharma) -1:48.
Operating order: 1. Evenepoel (Belg./Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) 48:11:10, 2. Roglič -2: 41, 3. Mas (Sp. / Movistar) -3: 03, 4. Rodríguez (Sp./Ineos Grenadiers -4: 06, 5. Ayuso (Sp. / UAE Emirates) -4: 53, 6. Kieldermann (Netherlands / Bora Hansgrohe) -6: 28, 7. Lopez (Colonel / Astana- Kazakhstan) -6: 56, 8. Almeida (Portugal/UAE) -7:18, 9. Polan (Slovenia/UAE) -8:00, 10. Geojegan Hart (Brett/Inios Grenadiers) -8:05,… 87. beetroot -1:37:07.
