Spain’s Alejandro Valverde won a sprint finish to claim the second stage of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya on Tuesday.
Poland’s Maciej Paterski maintained his overall lead in the race following the 191.8km stage from Mataro to Olot, Spain.
He had won Monday’s opening stage after being part of a three-man breakaway that finished almost three minutes ahead of the peloton.
Photo: EPA
Movistar rider Valverde edged out teammate and compatriot Jose Joaquim Rojas and Switzerland’s Martin Elminger of IAM Cycling in the sprint finish after more than five hours in the saddle.
Four riders got in the day’s breakaway, but in cold and wet weather, New Zealand’s Sam Bewley, Dutchman Tom Stamsnijder, Tsgabu Grmay of Ethiopia and Spain’s Luis Mas failed to hold on, despite being out front for more than 170km.
Having opened a gap of more than five minutes at one point, they were swallowed up with 18km left as Paterski’s CCC Sprandi Polkowice team took up the chase and the stage was set for a bunch sprint.
The bumpy finale was ideally suited to Valverde, who did not disappoint.
Yesterday’s 156.6km stage was due to start and finish in Girona.
Former Tour de France winners Chris Froome of Britain and Spain’s Alberto Contador are among the riders expected to challenge Valverde for overall victory after last year’s winner Joaquim Rodriguez pulled out of the race on Sunday due to a stomach virus.
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