Ganna fights like a champion and holds third in San Juan

Filippo Ganna fought with determination in the firth stage of the Vuelta a San Juan, where he was able to arrive seventh despite the difficult finish at nearly 2600 meters on Alto Colorado. He finished at 2-23 minutes behind the stage winner Argentine Gonzalo Najar, who races for the local SEP team.

Ganna holds the lead in the under 23 classification and sits third in the overall clarification at 1-22. 4a-year-old Oscar Sevilla (Medellin), second on the day and second overall, sits at 1-02.

“I think that I was the only rider weighing more than 85kg to arrive in the top positions,” said a happy and satisfied Ganna. “More than that, I couldn’t do. I made such a tough effort. It was not easy today racing up to more than 2500 meters. To breathe was very demanding. I’m not going to take anything for granted in the next two stages. I will try to gain from any occasion in the hope that I find a favourable moment.” 

Tomorrow, the Vuelta a San Juan will face the sixth stage, near the Cantoni Arena in the centre and Difunta Correa. The stage covers 152.6 kilometres and includes two third category climbs. It’s one of San Juan’s classic stages that tends to lend itself to sprints and surprise breakaway wins due to the strong wind and heat in the small valley.

Stage 5 results

1 Gonzalo Najar (Arg) S.E.P. de San Juan 4:16:26

2 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Medellin +1’58’’

3 Rodolfo Torres (Col) Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec +2’05’’

7 Filippo Ganna (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +2’23’’

General classification after stage 5

1 Gonzalo Najar (Arg) S.E.P. de San Juan 15:47:52

2 2 Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Medellin +1’02’’

3 Filippo Ganna (Ita) UAE Team Emirates +1’22’’