Maximilian Schachmann on Saturday won the sixth stage of the Volta a Catalunya, which was shortened due to heavy snow and bad weather in the Pyrenees Mountains.
Defending champion Alejandro Valverde maintained his overall lead of 16 seconds over Egan Bernal ahead of the final stage.
Schachmann, a German rider for Quick-Step Doors, beat Diego Rubio in a two-man sprint to claim the 117km ride that ended in Torrefarrera after staring in La Pobla de Segur.
Photo: EFE
The stage was originally 194km and to start at Viehla in the mountains, but heavy snow led to a change by race officials.
Valverde said riders faced temperatures of 1°C and 2°C and rain for a large part of the ride.
“Now we have tomorrow,” Valverde said. “We know that 16 seconds can either seem like a lot or not very much at all.”
Schachmann and Rubio held off a late push by the peloton, which crossed 18 seconds after the winner.
“It was a really, really cold day even with the shortened sage,” Schachmann said. “It was incredibly hard. I was even frozen in the front. I am really happy I made it to the finish line.”
Valverde’s Movistar teammate, Nairo Quintana, stayed third overall 26 seconds behind.
Yesterday’s seventh stage was a 155km ride in Barcelona.
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