VN news ticker: Miguel Angel Lopez wins Vuelta a Andalucia, Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig wins at Vuelta a Burgos Feminas
Here's what's making the headlines on Saturday, May 22.
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Ethan Hayter wins final stage, Miguel Ángel López scores GC victory at Vuelta a Andalucia
Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) sprinted to his second victory at the Vuelta a Andalucia (Ruta del Sol) in Pulpí, avoiding a crash in the final meters. Hayter won on stage 2 into Alcalá la Real, giving him a day in the leader’s jersey.
He beat Philipp Walseben and Toms Skujiņš from a small group on stage 5 after the peloton disintegrated on the final climb with 10km to go.
Miguel Ángel López (Astana-Premier Tech) finished safely in the small group to ensure his victory in the overall classification after winning stage 3. Antwan Tolhoek took second in the GC with Julen Amezqueta Moreno in third.
The finale was marked by a frenetic pace set by Team BikeExchange over the final third category climb. The effort caused large splits in the peloton with a small group of fewer than 15 moving clear of the rest.
Hayter took on the charge to the line from the front with BikeExchange’s Rob Stannard coming quick up the left side. However, Stannard came down hard just shy of the line after he and Daryl Impey collided in the sprint.
Ethan Hayter (Ineos) wins Stage 5 of the Vuelta a Andalucia – Ruta del Sol and Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar) wins the race overall. Final GC pic.twitter.com/GSP9mPqrne
— the Inner Ring (@inrng) May 22, 2021
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig takes emotional stage win at Vuelta a Burgos Feminas
Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig stormed to victory on the uphill finish of stage 3 of the Vuelta a Burgos Feminas in Ojo Guareña. Uttrup Ludwig timed her drive to the line perfectly, sprinting out with 100 meters remaining.
Kasia Niewiadoma, who had attacked with 200m to go, held on for second place with world champion Anna van der Breggen coming home in third.
“Finally, it’s such a relief,” Uttrup Ludwig said, crying. “It was pretty calm and then in the final we were just like let’s have some fun and let’s go and attack. I’m so proud of the team.”
Niamh Fisher-Black takes over the general classification after race leader Elise Chabbey was dropped on the final climb. Fisher-Black, who finished fifth on the stage, is currently on the same time as Grace Brown, while Niewiadoma is now in third place at two seconds back.
Sunday’s final stage to Lagunas de Neila will be a decisive stage for the GC contenders with a summit finish at over 1,800 meters.
#BurgosFem – GC after Stage 3 pic.twitter.com/QqFKNGLfE6
— La Flamme Rouge (@laflammerouge16) May 22, 2021
Sadle sores forces Jai Hindley to quit Giro d’Italia
Jai Hindley (Team DSM) will not ride the mighty Monte Zoncolan on Saturday after he pulled out of the Giro d’Italia due to suffering with saddle sores for several days. The Australian finished second at last year’s corsa rosa but has struggled to stick with the pace this time around. The team confirmed he would abandon the race Saturday morning.
Hindley was over 17 minutes back on the pink jersey of Egan Bernal in the overall standings after Friday’s stage. Romain Bardet remains in the race as Team DSM’s GC hope at 3:29 back in the general classification.
While the saddle sore may not have been the initial root of Hindley’s struggles, it has proved terminal for his hopes of reaching Milan.
“This is obviously not how I wanted my Giro to end. The team have really put in a lot to try and help, but the situation isn’t improving, and I really can’t continue anymore,” Hindley said. “I am really disappointed. I have worked really hard to be here and fight for the team’s spot on the podium, but there isn’t another option. I’ll keep rooting for the team from home and hope to be back in action soon.”
“Jai has been suffering pretty hard over the last few days with an ischial hygroma – a saddle sore – and whilst we had hoped things would improve, his condition has deteriorated significantly after the stage yesterday,” team doctor Anko Boelens said. “His pain levels are no longer tolerable and with some huge days in the mountains coming up, he cannot continue the race like this.”
https://twitter.com/TeamDSM/status/1396013713971367938?s=20