Cycling: Sam Bennett (Bora – hansgrohe) won the final stage of the Vuelta a San Juan. In the mass sprint of the seventh stage, the Irishman left the Colombian Álvaro Hodeg (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) behind. No challenger was able to jeopardize the overall victory of Winner Anacona (Movistar).
Sam Bennett celebrates his first win of the season
After some exciting stages, the last section of the Vuelta a San Juan should be a little quieter. There were no more movements in the overall standings on the 141,3-kilometer course. Although the breakaways tried again on the last day, their attempt was to remain unsuccessful. On the circuit in San Juan, which had to be ridden a total of nine times, the sprinter teams had everything under control. The Bora – hansgrohe team in particular was very active and well organized over the last few kilometers. It quickly became apparent that the drivers weren't driving for Peter Sagan today, but for Sam Bennett. Accordingly, the preparatory work by Peter Sagan and Erik Baska – who even ended up third – paid off. Sam Bennett was able to leave Álvaro Hodeg behind, as well as numerous competitors who simply could not keep up with the high speed at the front of the field and had to give up the decisive rear wheels.
Winner Anacona celebrates his first overall victory
In addition to the winner of the day, the overall winner was celebrated in San Juan. Winner Anacona (Movistar) won a Tour for the first time in his career. Previously, his greatest success was a stage win at the 2014 Vuelta a Espana. Behind the Colombian, Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) and Spaniard Oscar Sevilla (Medellín) – now 42 years old – complete the podium. The Austrian Felix Großschartner (Bora – hansgrohe) finishes the Vuelta a San Juan in fifth place overall. While the junior classification goes to Remco Evenpoel (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) and the team classification to Movistar, there was at least one local winner in the mountains classification. Daniel Zamora (Agrupacion Virgen De Fatima) was a breakaway on several occasions and more than earned the jersey.
Super happy to get my first win of the season @vueltasanjuanok .Big thanks to the @BORAhansgrohe guys for there effort! Once again they set up the sprint with great power and speed💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/f14Su83Sx7
— Sam Bennett (@Sammmy_Be) 4. February 2019