Ackermann top-5 in first Vuelta sprint battle

Pascal Ackermann had a solid start to the Vuelta España taking 5th place in the opening bunch sprint of the race on Stage 2 from ’s-Hertogenbosch to Utrecht (175km).

The first road stage of the race ended in a bunch gallop where Ackermann was guided the finish by his leadout train, just missing the last kick to win the sprint behind the Irishman Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe).

The race lead switches shoulders to Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) ahead of the final stage in the Netherlands tomorrow before transferring to Spain, with a flat day starting and finishing from Breda (193.2km).

 
Ackermann : “ It was a really hectic final with a big fight in the sprint. I was a bit cautious in the last corner after my crash last week and I lost a bit of speed.
It was a flat stage without any real hard section so everyone was fresh which makes it a bit more of a tense sprint, but it was a good test. Tomorrow we’ll try again for the win.”

 
Stage 2

 
1.Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) 3:49:34
2.Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo) s.t
3.Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Fenix) s.t
5.Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates) s.t

 
General Classification after stage 2

1.Mike Teunissen (Jumbo-Visma) 4:14:14
2.Eduardo Affini (Jumbo-Visma) s.t
3.Sam Oomen (Jumbo-Visma) s.t