Stage 2 of the Vuelta a Burgos came down to a mass gallop, as expected.
The Irish Champion needed just two days to score his first podium since returning to competition in another hectic finish at the Vuelta a Burgos, which Wednesday travelled from Castrojeriz to Villadiego, over 168 flat and quiet kilometers.
Five riders decided to spend the stage in the break and attacked early, putting some four minutes between them and a peloton who was at all times in control. Deceuninck – Quick-Step made their appearance with ten kilometers to go, when the white-and-blue train led by best young rider João Almeida piloted Sam Bennett to the front of the bunch. The closing 500 meters contained a series of tricky corners and these impacted on the outcome, as a crash disrupted the sprinters’ train.
Bennett came off the wheel of Michael Mørkøv and took third, behind Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) and Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ), for the team’s second podium in as many days, ahead of the first GC showdown, on the Picon Blanco, a 7.8km-long climb averaging a leg-sapping 9.3%.
Photo credit: ©David Ramos / Getty Images
