Cycling: Thibaut Pinot (FDJ) secured victory on Stage 2 of the Ruta Del Sol. With a spirited catch-up race, the Frenchman Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) snatched the day's victory, which he thought was almost certain. However, the Spaniard can console himself with the leader's jersey. Pinot's team-mate Sebastien Reichenbach from Switzerland finished eighth and now has his sights set on a top 10 result in the overall standings.
Breakaway Tim Wellens stopped by a fall
As expected, the climbers exchanged blows today on the second section of the Vuelta a Andalucia Ruta Ciclista Del Sol – as the tour is called by its full name. The distance from Torredonjimeno to Mancha Real was 177,9 kilometers. It wasn't going to be easy, as the Alto Peña del Águila was waiting for the drivers at the end. At 5,3 kilometers, this climb is not one of the longest, but the average gradient of 9,2 percent should be the icing on the cake. However, the kilometers before this finish were tough. A constant up and down with three mountain classifications had to be overcome first. Tim Wellens in particular shaped the racing events. The Belgian was traveling with a few companions, but then shook them off. The soloist then fell in a roundabout. Although he still resisted the pace work of Movistar and Sky, he ultimately played no role in the fight for the day's victory.
Thibaut Pinot intercepts Alberto Contador
Up to the Alto Peña del Águila, the cycling fans could then watch a really exciting finale. Several attacks repeatedly ensured that the group around the favorites was decimated and individual weaknesses were revealed today. The Spaniard Alberto Contador initially proved to be the strongest pilot. While the top favorite Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) was no longer able to follow, Contador drove towards his victory of the day. But as we have often observed in the past few years, the pistolero has not optimally allocated his strength. In the last kilometer, Thibaut Pinot suddenly came up behind him out of nowhere. The Spaniard then ran out of energy for the final two-man sprint for victory. Pinot even got two more seconds on him. But these should not be enough to take the overall lead. This is now held by Contador, three seconds ahead of Pinot and five ahead of Valverde.