Cycling: There were no surprises on the last stage of the Tour of Valencia. Nairo Quintana (Movistar) was able to defend his overall lead. The expected mass sprint was forced at the last second. Much to the chagrin of the two escapees Iljo Keisse (Quick-Step Floors) and Michal Kwiatkowski (Sky). Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) defeated his compatriot Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) and the Dutchman Coen Vermeltfoort (Roompot-Nederlandse Loterij).
Gone with the Wind: Stage shortened to 51,2 kilometers
The wind can be the icing on the cake on some sections. This Sunday, however, he was the reason why the actually 130,2 kilometer long stage from Paterna to Valencia was shortened to just 51,2 kilometers. The start was therefore only at kilometer 79 of the planned route. Keisse and Kwiatkowski in particular wanted to take advantage of this quickie. They almost succeeded, because the two breakaways were caught only a few meters from the finish line. Frenchman Bryan Coquard, who had to overcome a strong sprinter in Nacer Bouhanni, was the fastest in the approaching field.
Quintana was no longer endangered
The overall victory of Nairo Quintana, who took the lead up to the Llucena del Cid on his birthday yesterday, was no longer in danger. The two BMC pilots Ben Hermans and Manuel Senni complete the podium. It was therefore a very successful tour for Senni, because the Italian was allowed to wear the leader's jersey for a day, finished third overall and won the youngsters' classification. Movistar secured the team classification, while the mountain classification went to Frenchman Cyril Gautier (Ag2r).