Mikel Landa Meana wins final stage as Rodriguez celebrates overall lead in Vuelta A Burgos
Euskaltel-Euskadi team’s Mikel Landa Meana took his first victory of this season after winning the fifth and final stage of Vuelta A Burgos in Areniscas de los Pinares on Sunday, August 7. Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver retained his overall leader’s yellow jersey.
The 21-year-old Spanish cyclists took the total of 4 hours, 20 seconds to cover the distance of 155 kilometres. Juan Jose Cobo Acebo of Geox-TMC showed a tremendous effort in the final 300 metres but failed and secured runner-up spot with 3 seconds behind
the Spanish.
Katusha team’s Joaquím Rodríguez finished third with the difference of 12 seconds ahead of Daniel Moreno Fernandez and Fabrice Jeandesboz.
Rodriguez told the media, "Today’s stage was particularly hard. The Euskaltel team imposed an incredible pace and got a well-deserved win. Mikel Landa is a first year pro but proved he is a very talented rider. ”
A group of six cyclists made their first breakaway lead including, Landa Meana, Samuel Sanchez Gonzalez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Joaquím Rodríguez Oliver (Katusha Team), Daniel Moreno Fernandez, Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Geox-TMC) and Fabrice Jeandesboz (Saur-Sojasun).
Landa increased his pace with Sanchez on his wheel while Samuel had dropped Oliver. In the final two kilometres, Landa launched an attack. Sanchez increased his pace and managed to drop the four cyclists consisting of Moreno, Cobo, Oliver and Jeandesboz.
In the final 500 metres, Cobo and Rodriguez took a lead ahead of Moreno and Jeanbesboz. Landa showed his powerful skills and managed to take a victory ahead of the other cyclists.
Kenny De Ketele (Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator) took the overall sprint standing with 15 points ahead of Etienne Tortelier and Cyril Bessy. Mikel Landa Meana (Euskaltel-Euskadi) took the overall mountain classification ahead of Sanchez.
Rodriguez took the overall lead with the timing of 15 hours, 12 minutes and 34 seconds while Daniel Moreno Fernandez was runner-up with 36 seconds behind the Spanish.
He further added, “Luckily, once again I could take advantage on my team-mates incredible work. We're an extraordinary group, in which everybody is happy to sacrifice himself for his teammate. Now we're ready to enjoy the next days before the start of the
Vuelta.”
Juan Jose Cobo Acebo was in third place with the difference of 45 seconds ahead of Sanchez.
Tags: