Vuelta a España: Peter Sagan Sprints to Victory

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2011 11:53 AM EDT in Vuelta a España

Vuelta-sm_medium Super sprinter Peter Sagan of Liquigas-Cannondale won Thursday's stage in Pontevedra.John Degenkolb, the young German sprinter from HTC-Highroad finished second, while Leopard-Trek's Daniele Bennati took third.

To no one's real surprise, the relatively flat stage came down to a bunch sprint. First HCT-Highroad, then Leopard-Trek took control in the closing kilometers, but Sagan came out on top and celebrated his second stage victory of this Vuelta a España.

Thanks to today's win, Sagan now sits just 6 points behind Joaquím Rodríguez of Katusha in the Points classification.

The general classification remained relatively unchanged with Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky retaining the Red Jersey of race leader. Chris Froome sits second at 7 seconds, Fredrik Kessiakoff is third at 9 seconds. A small split in the bunch near the finish allowed Bauke Mollema to gain 11 seconds on Wiggins. Smart riding by the Dutchman there! Here are the complete standings for the Vuelta a España.

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Sagan should be a real strong threat to take Worlds

The only person to beat him is going to be a Cav in super form or some monster taking a long successful breakaway.

"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton

by sminer on Sep 1, 2011 12:53 PM EDT reply actions

yep

i think you’re right about that. it should totally suit him, and he’s plainly on good form.

~ Gavia ~

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions

A grand tour stage isn't as hard as worlds though

I am not sure he is old enough to hang with a bunch of classics guys look to tear apart the race all day.

(this year)

"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"

by ncrow on Sep 1, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

He is unbelievable

But 280k is a loooong way.

All posts are at altitude. Acclimation may be necessary

by mr. rogers on Sep 1, 2011 2:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yea, that's a bunch of k's, must have let close to a 100 of them slip my mind.

"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton

by sminer on Sep 1, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Why arent you out in bend getting a nat champ jersey?

All posts are at altitude. Acclimation may be necessary

by mr. rogers on Sep 1, 2011 3:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Same reason I'm not in Switzerland riding in the Alps?

"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton

by sminer on Sep 1, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate will too

All posts are at altitude. Acclimation may be necessary

by mr. rogers on Sep 1, 2011 4:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

thought he was injured?

i however wasn’t this weekend:

by thebongolian on Sep 1, 2011 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I even had to pass on the Labor Day Omnium in Anderson, SC this weekend.

"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton

by sminer on Sep 1, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Bummer

I have some friends who are going. Im retired, again

All posts are at altitude. Acclimation may be necessary

by mr. rogers on Sep 1, 2011 4:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I would love to see sagan taking the worlds!!

by virandociclista on Sep 1, 2011 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

Nitbit

But Mollema took 6seconds because of the first intermediate. Erik Dekker (DS) stated he was surprised no other GC contender sprinted for those relative easy seconds.
The bunch split was 5 seconds.. You see how the Mollema Vuelta victory is coming closer and closer

by Frinking on Sep 1, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

I like having the time trial early

It’s risky, but it suited this particular field really well.

"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"

by ncrow on Sep 1, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Mollema did really well today

Taking 11 secs on a flat stage. Very nice job.

Me like bike, no?

by Lopex on Sep 1, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

right on, thanks

smart riding there, either way.

~ Gavia ~

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That should be a shot across the bows for SKY

Superb performances at the finish are deeply impressive, but giving away 11 seconds on random flat stages is dangerous….

They have been warned (and chapeau to Mollema!)

by Doctornurse on Sep 1, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Will Sagan target the Pojnts jersey?

And where will he get his points?

by ursula on Sep 1, 2011 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

I think he should focus on stages. There's a few more he could win.

If points comes with those, all the better. But all stages are worth 25 points.

"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"

by ncrow on Sep 1, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

somebody has probably already addressed this here but....

I’m in the dark about Wiggins’ neck – what’s the deal with the tape?

Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.

by Koppenberg34 on Sep 1, 2011 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

I thought it was due to his recent broken collar bone.

All posts are at altitude. Acclimation may be necessary

by mr. rogers on Sep 1, 2011 3:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

So not the latest technological development in the 'Breathe Right' repertoire?

'I dropped my torch in the cave of pain ... It's pretty dark in here.'

by Wavell on Sep 1, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

or a odd place for a nicotine patch

Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.

by Koppenberg34 on Sep 1, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

John Degenkolb....

by rikard on Sep 1, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

What name did I give him?

For some reason, I have a mental block with that guy. I can never remember that his name is John :)

Thanks to the Editor Person who tidied things up for me ;)

~ Gavia ~

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2011 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Peter

All posts are at altitude. Acclimation may be necessary

by mr. rogers on Sep 1, 2011 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

ha ha, that sounds right.

I think that’s what I always call him for some reason. Some day maybe I’ll learn that his real name is John :)

~ Gavia ~

by Jen See on Sep 1, 2011 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions

He's much more a Peter than a John, to be honest

I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.

by tgsgirl on Sep 2, 2011 4:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I'd say he's a Bjorn

Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...

by TheFigurehead on Sep 2, 2011 6:17 AM EDT up reply actions

You imagine him doing abba songs?

I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.

by tgsgirl on Sep 2, 2011 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions

I hope not

This group is better, plus Björn means bear.

Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...

by TheFigurehead on Sep 2, 2011 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions

You know what they say about those trackies.....

Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.

by Koppenberg34 on Sep 1, 2011 3:29 PM EDT reply actions

CAMEL CIGARETTE AD: World's fastest man enjoys a slow smoke

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48941790@N08/6104105872/

http://www.6dayracing.ca/memorabilia/camels/index.html

Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.

by Koppenberg34 on Sep 1, 2011 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Have we mentioned that Kittel has gone home?

Well, his team has sent him home, much against his own will.

I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.

by tgsgirl on Sep 1, 2011 4:45 PM EDT reply actions

Quite possibly a good idea

Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...

by TheFigurehead on Sep 1, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I agree

And Kittel will too, probably, once he gets over the disappointment of not finishing his first GT.

I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.

by tgsgirl on Sep 1, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

news to me...details ?

Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.

by Koppenberg34 on Sep 1, 2011 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Linkage

“Marcel is nog jong en je moet er uiteindelijk beter van worden als je in zo’n wedstrijd door blijft rijden”, zegt ploegleider Rudie Kemna. “Hij kan nu wat rust nemen.” Kittel zelf had graag nog wat gebleven. Hij laat weten “niet blij te zijn dat hij de Vuelta moet verlaten”.

"Marcel is still young. And in the end continuing to ride a race like this needs to make you better, says DS Rudie Kemna. “This way he can rest some.” Kittel himself had rather stayed. He says he “isn’t happy about having to leave the Vuelta.”

I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.

by tgsgirl on Sep 1, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmmmm....

I guess I can imagine feeling pretty intimidated by what will only be harder days ahead, culminating with the sprinter’s funeral march into the jaws of sunday’s Angliru

Whenever you hear the word "honor"
be prepared to eat a big bullshit sandwich.

by Koppenberg34 on Sep 1, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Too bad

Generally, I’m not a fan of “save the youngster from doing a whole GT.” But he might be at his limit, who knows. I have confidence in Zeeman as a trainer/physiologist.

"Beer helps." -- Ant1.

by tedvdw on Sep 1, 2011 4:53 PM EDT up reply actions