Cycling: Gonzalo Najar (Sindicato Empleados Públicos of San Juan) celebrated a significant home win. The Argentinian was able to keep all well-known favorites at bay on the queen's stage of the Vuelta a San Juan. In the end he won almost two minutes ahead of oldie Oscar Sevilla (Medellin-Indians). Favorite Rafal Majka (Bora-hansgrohe) lost over three minutes in twelfth place.
Najar with the biggest success of his career
We eagerly awaited the queen stage of the Vuelta a San Juan. After yesterday's rest day, the favorites wanted to make everything clear in the overall standings today. But they don't have it on the 169,5 kilometers from San Juan to Alto Colorado Gonzalo Najar expected. The 24-year-old Argentinian champion attacked on the final climb and left them all standing. In strong winds, the peloton was shaken up and thinned out in a very short time on the climb. The catch-up race of the supposed favorites did not materialize. Najar kept increasing his lead. In the end he won with almost two minutes on Oldie Oscar Seville. The 41-year-old also left the well-known professionals standing. After him reached with Rudolph Torres (Androni-Giocattoli) and jesus prado (Canels-Specialized) other riders finished first before the first man from a WorldTour team got to the summit.
Ghana @NajarGonzalo y se convierte en el nuevo líder de la #VueltaSJ2018. El campeon de ruta argentino se corona en el Alto del Colorado aventajando a @OscarSevilla76 of the @Team_Medellin and 2′. pic.twitter.com/FNrLoqn1oG
— Brain on Wheels 🚲 (@BrainOnWheels) 26 January 2018
Majka had absolutely no chance today
Came as the first rider on a WorldTour team Tiesj Benoot (Lotto Soudal) crossed the finish line in fifth place. The Belgian was already two minutes and 23 seconds down. On top favorite Rafal Mayka the fans had to wait even longer at the finish line. After three minutes and seven seconds, the Pole rolled over the line like a beaten dog in twelfth place. It really wasn't the day of the favourites. However, it did really well Filippo Gana (UAE Team Emirates) in seventh place, the Italian is really not considered a climber. In the overall standings, the day's winner Gonzalo Najar now clearly leads ahead of Oscar Sevilla. Since there is no further selective stage on the program, the local hero should celebrate his greatest success with the overall victory.
#VueltaSJ2018 ETAPA 5: SAN MARTÍN – IGLESIA
CLASIFICACIÓN GENERAL INDIVIDUAL CUMPLIDAS 5 ETAPAS pic.twitter.com/GD9sfwbWQd
— Vuelta a San Juan OK (@vueltasanjuanok) 26 January 2018
Cover image source: @ flickr: © vueltaasanjuanok