Cycling: Gonzalo Najar (Sindicato de Empleados Publicos de San Juan) has achieved by far the greatest success of his career. The 24-year-old Argentinian can be happy about the overall victory at the Vuelta a San Juan in his home country. Giacomo Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) also had something to celebrate tonight. The Italian sprinted to victory on the circuit ahead of the Quick Step Floors duo Maximiliano Richeze and Alvaro Jose Hodeg. Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) finished fourth.
Majka and Benoot duel
The seventh and final stage of the Vuelta a San Juan was to be run on a circuit. There were nine laps of 15,7 kilometers each to complete, resulting in a total of 141,3 kilometers. The relatively flat terrain was suitable for a mass sprint, but of course numerous drivers tried to break away from the field early on. However, a typical group of the day did not materialize. Although a few drivers were always ahead, nobody was able to build up a really big lead. While the breakaways were being chased, there was an exciting duel in the peloton for fifth place in the overall standings. Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) dueled with Rafal Mayka (Bora-hansgrohe) in the intermediate sprints as the Belgian was just a second behind the Pole. In the first intermediate sprint he was able to catch up, but Majka promptly fought back in the second intermediate sprint.
#VueltaSJ2018 ETAPA 7: SAN JUAN – SAN JUAN
Restan 50 kilometers and the group mayoritario Alcanzó a los Lideres.
50 kilometers left and the peloton reached the leaders. pic.twitter.com/vgReJMpzAo
— Vuelta a San Juan OK (@vueltasanjuanok) 28 January 2018
Ackermann does not reach his top speed
Not much happened in the last few kilometers. The sprinter teams controlled the pace up to the long home stretch. There were no more breakaway attempts. As expected, there was a mass sprint in San Juan. Niccolo Boniface (Bahrain-Merida) wanted to charge forward on the right-hand side of the lane, but the Italian was far too early in the wind. Then he braked the German with a swerve Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe) something so that it could no longer reach its top speed. Right at the front it went between James Nizzolo (Trek-Segafredo) and the Quick-Step-Floors-Duo Maximilian Richeze and Alvaro Jose Hodeg for the stage win.
Italian rider of @TrekSegafredo, @GiacomoNizzolo, wins #VueltaSJ2018 last stage. Argentinian @NajarGonzalo is the overall winner of the race. pic.twitter.com/xXVbzPDW4r
— Brain on Wheels 🚲 (@BrainOnWheels) 28 January 2018
Nizzolo takes stage win, Najar overall win
Ultimately, the Italian, who had such bad luck with falls and injuries last year, prevailed. He crowns the brilliant week of Trek-Segafredo. The team won three races of the Mallorca Challenge, including John Degenkolb Palma Trophy victorious. However, the big winner of the day is called Gonzalo Najar (Sindicato de Empleados Publicos de San Juan). The local driver didn't let himself be taken away from the lead and thus celebrated the biggest win of his career. Oldie Oscar Sevilla (Medellin-Indian) defended second place in front of Filippo Ganna (UAE Team Emirates).
Top 10 of the CG Final of the #VueltaSJ2018 @rodotorres1987 @AndroniGiocatto 4° @mendozaomar25 7° @team_medellin @dayerquintana 8° @Movistar_Team @jarlinsonpantan 10° @TrekSegafredo Colombia siempre protagonista @Lauruiz04 @MAGODELASINTONI @ROKARUW pic.twitter.com/dntaafKZD2
— CampeonesyGregarios (@FinalEnAlto) 28 January 2018
Cover image source: @ flickr © vueltaasanjuan.org